U.S. patent application number 11/274384 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for dog-type recoil actuated auger.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mark M. Pflieger. Invention is credited to David C. Pflieger.
Application Number | 20070107936 11/274384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039575 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070107936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pflieger; David C. |
May 17, 2007 |
Dog-type recoil actuated auger
Abstract
A dog-type recoil actuated auger enables holes to be drilled by
using only straight line motions of a person's hand, arm, and
shoulder. The recoil actuated auger is comprised of a recoil drive
system connected to a shaft, which in turn is connected to an
auger. The recoil drive system has a recoil mechanism that imparts
unidirectional rotation to the auger in response to bidirectional
rotation of the recoil mechanism. The recoil mechanism may have
dogs that engage a drive cup, or clutch bearings, to
unidirectionally rotate the auger. The recoil drive system has a
handle that the person grasps during operation. Operation is
achieved by pulling a rope wound around a rope wheel. A recoil
spring rewinds the rope after a pulling motion. Multiple recoil
mechanisms assembled to the shaft and a suitable handle enable more
than one person to operate the recoil actuated auger at the same
time.
Inventors: |
Pflieger; David C.; (Two
Rivers, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Assignee: |
Pflieger; Mark M.
Pflieger; Eugene H.
|
Family ID: |
38039575 |
Appl. No.: |
11/274384 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/18 ;
175/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 10/44 20130101;
E21B 11/005 20130101; E21B 7/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/018 ;
175/384 |
International
Class: |
E21B 10/00 20060101
E21B010/00; F25C 5/04 20060101 F25C005/04 |
Claims
1. A recoil actuated auger comprising: a. an auger; and b. means
for manually unidirectionally rotating the auger about a
longitudinal axis in response to a person exerting straight line
motions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the person.
2. The recoil actuated auger of claim 1 wherein: a. the auger
comprises a shaft; and b. the means for manually rotating the auger
comprises a recoil mechanism connected to the auger shaft.
3. The recoil actuated auger of claim 2 wherein the recoil
mechanism comprises: a. a rope wheel; b. a drive cup fixed to the
auger shaft; and c. means for selectively engaging and disengaging
the drive cup in response to rotating the rope wheel in first and
second directions, respectively.
4. The recoil actuated auger of claim 3 wherein: a. the recoil
mechanism further comprises a rope wound on the rope wheel; and b.
the person exerts the straight line motion on the rope and thereby
rotates the rope wheel.
5. The recoil actuated auger of claim 1 wherein the means for
rotating the auger comprises: a. a housing that rotatably guides
the auger; and b. a recoil mechanism connected to the auger.
6. The recoil actuated auger of claim 5 wherein: a. the auger
comprises a shaft; b. the housing comprises first and second tubes;
c. the recoil mechanism comprises a drive cup that fits in the
housing first tube and that is fixed to the auger shaft; and d. the
housing second tube rotatably guides the auger shaft.
7. The recoil actuated auger of claim 5 wherein the housing
comprises a housing plate, and wherein a handle is attached to the
housing plate, so that the person can grasp the handle with a
second hand, and exert the straight line motion with the first
hand, arm, and shoulder.
8. The recoil actuated auger of claim 1 wherein: a. auger comprises
an auger shaft; and b. the means for manually rotating the auger
comprises: i. a drive cup having a drive cup shaft that is
selectively connectable to the auger shaft; ii. a rope wheel
rotatable in first and second directions; and iii. means for
selectively engaging and disengaging the drive cup in response to
rotating the rope wheel in the first and second directions,
respectively, the drive cup rotating with the rope wheel when the
rope wheel rotates in the first direction.
9. The recoil actuated auger of claim 1 wherein: a. the auger
comprises an auger shaft; and b. the means for rotating the auger
comprises: i. a second shaft connected to the auger shaft; ii. a
housing that rotatably guides the second shaft; and iii. at least
one recoil mechanism including a rope wheel that rotates in first
and second directions, the second shaft rotating in the first
direction when the rope wheel rotates in the first direction, the
second shaft being stationary when the rope wheel rotates in the
second direction.
10. Apparatus for drilling holes comprising: a. an auger; and b. a
recoil drive system connected to the auger for unidirectionally
rotating the auger.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: a. the auger has a first
shaft; and b. the recoil drive system comprises a second shaft that
is connected to the first shaft.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the recoil drive system
comprises: a. a shaft connected to the auger; and b. means for
unidirectionally rotating the shaft and thereby unidirectionally
rotating the auger.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the recoil drive system
comprises: a. a housing that rotatably guides the shaft; and b. a
handle attached to the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for
unidirectionally rotating the shaft comprises a rope wheel that
rotates in first and second directions, the shaft rotating in the
first direction when the rope wheel rotates in the first direction,
the shaft being stationary when the rope wheel rotates in the
second direction.
15. A method of drilling holes comprising the steps of: a. placing
an auger in contact with a material to be drilled; b. connecting
the auger to a recoil drive system; c. exerting a first motion on
the recoil drive system in a first straight line direction and
thereby rotating the auger in a first rotational direction; and d.
exerting a second motion on the recoil drive system in a second
straight line direction opposite the first straight line direction
without rotating the auger.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein: a. the step of providing an
auger comprises the step providing an auger with an auger shaft;
and b. the step of connecting the auger to the recoil drive system
comprises the steps of: i. providing the recoil drive system with a
second shaft; and ii. connecting the auger shaft to the second
shaft.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein: a. the step of connecting the
auger to a recoil drive system comprises the step of providing a
handle on the recoil drive system; and b. the step of exerting the
first and second motions comprises the step of grasping the handle
with a first hand and exerting the first and second motions with a
second hand.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein: a. the step of connecting the
auger to the recoil drive system comprises the steps of providing
the recoil drive system with a housing, and guiding the second
shaft in the housing; and b. the step of exerting the first and
second motions comprises the steps of grasping the housing with a
first hand, and exerting the first and second motions with a second
hand.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein: a. the step of connecting the
auger to the recoil drive system comprises the steps of providing
the recoil drive system with a rope wheel, and winding a rope
around the rope wheel; and b. the step of exerting the first motion
comprises the step of pulling the rope and thereby rotating the
rope wheel in the first rotational direction.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein: a. the step of connecting the
auger to the recoil drive system comprises the further steps of: i.
fixing a drive cup to the second shaft; and ii. providing a rope
wheel with at least one dog thereon; and b. the step of exerting
the first motion comprises the steps of rotating the rope wheel in
the first rotational direction, and engaging the at least one dog
with the drive cup and thereby rotating the second shaft in the
first rotational direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field Of The Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to manually operated augers,
and more particularly to apparatus that uses a straight line manual
motion to rotate an auger.
[0003] 2. Description Of The Related Art
[0004] Augers for drilling in ice and earth are well known and in
widespread use. Augers typically include a center shaft. A helical
band with a cutting edge at one end surrounds the center shaft.
Rotating the center shaft causes the cutting edge to cut into the
ice or earth. The helical band pushes the cut material away from
the cutting edge to make a hole.
[0005] Some prior augers were manually driven. Manual augers were
usually light weight, fairly inexpensive, and relatively easy to
carry. An example of a prior manual auger, which uses a crank and
gear mechanism, may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,294,098. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,817,735 shows a foot powered auger. Perhaps the classic
example of prior manual augers is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,393,282; 2,476,047; 3,051,253; 3,929,196; and 5,038,870. Those
five patents each show an offset handle connected to an auger
center shaft. A person grasped the handle with one hand and
steadied the auger with the other hand. The person exerted his
shoulder and arm muscles to produce a circular motion with his
first hand, thus turning the handle and the auger.
[0006] When using a manual auger with an offset handle, multiple
combinations of forces had to be generated by the person for each
revolution of his hand. Specifically, a first force was generated
to pull the hand in a first motion toward his body. Then the handle
was forced across the front of the body in a second motion. Then,
the person had to push the handle away from his body in a third
motion. Finally, the person forced the handle across the front of
his body in a fourth motion opposite the second motion. The process
was repeated for each revolution of the handle and auger.
[0007] Because of the nature of ice and earth, considerable effort
was required to drill holes with offset handle augers.
Ergonomically, it was very difficult for most people to perform
three of the four handle motions. The only motion that most people
could complete with ease was the first motion of pulling the hand
toward the body. That was a fairly natural motion during which most
people could generate the maximum force with their arms and
shoulder muscles. In general, younger, older, and other persons
without adequate strength could not easily use the prior manual
augers.
[0008] To ease the task of drilling in ice and earth, power driven
augers have been developed. A common power source was a gasoline
engine that connected to the auger center shaft. Some augers were
powered from remote locations by suitable transmissions. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,710,877; 3,828,861; and 4,116,284 illustrate different kinds
of remote power sources and associated transmissions. Japan patent
application number 1998000220506 teaches an auger powered by a
motor and assembled to the end of a crane boom.
[0009] There are several disadvantages associated with power
augers. In addition to being undesirably expensive, they are heavy
and awkward to carry. The engines are subject to environmental
standards, including emission controls and anti-noise ordinances. A
related problem concerns the odors emitted from the engine, which
is only an arm's length from the user's face. The noise and
emissions make it an unpleasant task to drill holes with power
augers. Moreover, power augers develop high torque, so safety is a
major concern.
[0010] Thus, a need exists for improvements in ways to operate
augers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a dog-type recoil
actuated auger is provided that requires a person to exert only
straight line motions of the person's hand, arm, and shoulder to
operate. This is accomplished by apparatus that includes a recoil
mechanism that imparts unidirectional motion to an auger.
[0012] The auger has a shaft and a helical band around the shaft. A
working end of the helical band at the auger shaft first end is
sharpened. A second end of the auger shaft is connected to the
recoil mechanism. The recoil mechanism is part of a recoil drive
system that also includes a housing and a handle.
[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing is
comprised of a flat plate and first and second tubes all concentric
with the auger shaft. The first and second tubes are joined by a
transverse annular disk. The first tube receives and rotatably
guides the auger shaft. The second tube receives a drive cup of the
recoil mechanism. The drive cup has an annular wall, and an end
wall that is fixed to the auger shaft. A washer separates the drive
cup end wall from the housing annular disk. A collar on the auger
shaft adjacent the first tube cooperates with the drive cup to
capture the auger shaft to the recoil drive system housing. In the
drive cup annular wall are a number of circumferentially spaced
openings.
[0014] The recoil mechanism further comprises a cover that is
secured to the housing plate. The cover contains a rope wheel that
is rotatable about a cover pin. A rope is wound around the rope
wheel. The rope terminates in a pull handle that is on the outside
of the cover. A recoil spring biases the rope wheel to rotate in a
first direction such that the rope pull handle is against the
cover, which limits the rotation of the rope wheel in the first
direction and establishes a wound position for the rope wheel.
Manually pulling the rope pull handle rotates the rope wheel in a
second direction and unwinds the rope from the rope wheel.
[0015] A pair of dogs are pivotable on associated rope wheel posts
between working and retracted locations. When in their working
locations, the dogs engage associated openings in the drive cup
annular wall. The dogs are in their retracted positions when the
rope wheel is at its wound position under the bias of the recoil
spring and the rope pull handle is against the cover.
[0016] To pivot the dogs from their retracted locations to their
working locations, they are designed to contact first surfaces of a
cam that oscillates on the cover pin. An initial pull on the rope
pull handle in a pull stroke rotates the rope wheel but does not
turn the cam. After the rope wheel has rotated through a few
degrees, the dogs contact the first surfaces of the stationary cam.
Upon contacting the cam, the dogs pivot to their working locations
under the impetus of the continually rotating rope wheel. Continued
pulling on the rope causes the drive cup, cam, and auger shaft to
rotate together with the rope wheel. At the end of the pull stroke,
the rope is released, under control. The recoil spring turns the
rope wheel, but initially not the cam, in the opposite direction
and rewinds the rope onto the rope wheel. That action also causes
the dogs to contact second surfaces on the stationary cam and pivot
the dogs back to their retracted locations. The dogs therefore
disengage from the cup wheel. From that point, the rope wheel,
together with the cam, rotates back to its wound position, but
without imparting any rotation to the auger shaft. The cycle is
repeated as often as necessary until the auger has drilled the
desired hole.
[0017] It is a feature of the invention that the auger may be
disconnected from the recoil drive system. For that purpose, an
output shaft is fixed to the drive cup end wall instead of the
auger shaft. The free end of the output shaft is designed to
selectively connect to and disconnect from the auger shaft. In that
manner, the dog-type recoil actuated auger of the invention may be
broken down for easily transportation.
[0018] The method and apparatus of the invention, using just
straight line motions by a person, thus enables holes to be drilled
in an ergonomically satisfactory way. The probability of
unsuccessful operation is remote, even though he may not have
adequate strength to generate forceful circular motions with his
hand, arm, and shoulder.
[0019] Other advantages, benefits, and features of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the
detailed description of the invention and studying the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use
at the start of a pull stroke of the recoil mechanism.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the
invention in use at the end of a pull stroke.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4 at the start of a pull stroke.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the recoil
mechanism at initial contact of the dogs by the cam.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the dogs in
their working locations.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the cam in
contact with the dogs to pivot the dogs back to their retracted
locations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention, which may be embodied in other specific structure. The
scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended
hereto.
[0029] Looking first at FIG. 3, a dog-type recoil actuated auger 1
is illustrated that includes the present invention. The recoil
actuated auger 1 is particularly useful for drilling holes in ice
or earth, typically represented at reference numeral 9. However, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to outdoor
related applications.
[0030] The particular dog-type recoil actuated auger 1 illustrated
is comprised of an auger 3 connected to a manual recoil drive
system 5. The auger 3 preferably has a sharpened end 6 opposite the
recoil drive system 5. Operation of the recoil drive system causes
rotation of the auger about a longitudinal axis 7 of the recoil
actuated auger to drill into the ice or earth 9.
[0031] The auger 3 includes a shaft 11 around which is a helical
band 13. The auger sharpened end 6 may be in the form of a knife
15.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the recoil drive system 5 is
disconnectable from the auger 3. For that purpose, the auger shaft
11 has a socket 107 that receives an end 109 of a drive cup shaft
111, as will be explained shortly. A thumb screw 113 is used to
hold the shafts 11 and 111 to each other and concentric to the
longitudinal axis 7. In that manner, the dog-type recoil actuated
auger 1 can be broken down for easy transportation.
[0033] The auger 3 is unidirectionally rotated by manual operation
of the recoil drive system 5. Looking also at FIGS. 4 and 5, the
recoil drive system comprises a housing 17 and a recoil mechanism
19. The recoil mechanism 19 may be generally conventional. However,
it will be described in detail so as to provide a full explanation
of and appreciation for the invention.
[0034] The housing 17 includes a flat plate 21 and a pair of tubes
23 and 25. Both tubes 23 and 25 are concentric with the
longitudinal axis 7. The two tubes are joined to each other by a
transverse disk 27. The tube 25 rotatably guides the shaft 111.
[0035] A handle 28 is attached to the housing plate 21. According
to one aspect of the invention, the handle 28 is constructed with a
pair of small plates 30 welded or otherwise attached to the housing
plate (FIG. 3). A bar 32 is welded between two plates 34, which in
turn are attached to the small plates 30.
[0036] The recoil mechanism 19 is comprised of a cover 29 that is
secured to the housing plate 21 by bolts and nuts 31. On the cover
29 is a cover pin 33 that is concentric with the longitudinal axis
7. A rope wheel 35 is rotatable on the cover pin 33. The rope wheel
35 has a hub 36 with a transverse end surface 80. In the hub 36 are
two first diametrically opposed surfaces 38 that extend generally
radially from and parallel to the longitudinal axis 7. The hub also
has two second diametrically opposed surfaces 40 that extend
generally radially from and parallel to the longitudinal axis. The
rope wheel further has a peripheral groove 37 around which is wound
a rope 39. One end of the rope 39 is fastened to the rope wheel.
The other end of the rope terminates outside the cover at a pull
handle 41. A recoil spring 43 has a first end hooked to the cover,
as to a pilot 46. The recoil spring 43 also has a second end hooked
to the rope wheel, such as to an annular rib 48. The recoil spring
biases the rope wheel to rotate in a first direction, designated by
arrow 44, toward a wound position. When the rope wheel is at its
wound position, the rope is wound on the rope wheel and the pull
handle 41 is against the cover. Pulling the pull handle rotates the
rope wheel in a second direction, arrow 97, against the force of
the recoil spring and unwinds the rope from the rope wheel groove
37.
[0037] On the rope wheel hub 36 are a pair of short posts 45. On
each post 45 is a dog 47. Each dog 47 has first and second ends 49
and 51, respectively, on opposite sides of the post. Each dog also
has an outside surface 53 and an inside surface 59 between the
first and second ends 49 and 51, respectively. On the outside
surface 53 is a first step 55 and a second step 57. The inside
surface 59 has a portion 61 near the first end. The dogs are
pivotable on the rope wheel posts 45 in the directions of arrows 62
and 64.
[0038] Also on the cover pin 33 is a cam 63. The particular cam 63
illustrated is formed with a flat disk 65 and four bent-over tabs
67A-67D. Each tab 67A-67D has a first surface 71 and a second
surface 73. The rope wheel 35 and cam are held on the cover pin by
a D-washer 77 and retainer ring 79. A compression spring 75 between
the rope wheel and the cam disk 65 presses the cam disk against the
D-washer 77. For clarity, a clearance is shown between the cam
disk, dogs 47, and rope wheel end surface 80. In actuality, the
clearance is minimal.
[0039] A drive cup 81 is also part of the recoil mechanism 19. The
drive cup 81 has an annular wall 83 and an end wall 85. Preferably,
the annular wall 83 has a flange 87 at its end opposite the end
wall 85. In the annular wall are a number of circumferentially
spaced openings 89. Fixed to the end wall is the drive shaft
111.
[0040] The drive cup 81 fits mostly inside the housing first tube
23 such that the openings 89 are transversely aligned with the dogs
47. A thrust washer 91 is interposed between the drive cup end wall
85 and the housing disk 27. A collar 93 with a set screw 95 on the
drive shaft 111 cooperate with the drive cup end wall to retain the
drive cup and auger 3 to the recoil drive system housing 17.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a person with the dog-type recoil actuated
auger 1 at the start of an operating cycle. In that situation, the
recoil mechanism 19 is as shown in FIG. 5, with the rope wheel 35
at its wound position. The dogs 47 lie generally inside a circular
envelope defined by the cam tabs 67A-67D. There is a space S
between the portion 61 of the inside surface 59 of each dog and the
second surface 73 of the associated cam tab 67A or 67C.
[0042] At the start of an operating cycle, the person holds the
recoil drive system handle 28 with one and and the rope pull handle
41 with the other hand. He exerts a force on the rope pull handle
by pulling it with a straight line motion 101 in a pull stroke.
Doing so rotates the rope wheel 35 in the direction of arrow 97.
Initially, there is sufficient friction between the D-washer 77 and
the cam 63 such that the cam does not rotate with the rope wheel.
Consequently, the rope wheel, together with the dogs 47, acquire
the position relative to the cam shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the
rope wheel has rotated to take up the spaces S, and the portions 61
of the dogs inside surfaces 59 have contacted the second surfaces
73 of the cam tabs 67A and 67C.
[0043] Continued rotation of the rope wheel 35 causes the cam tabs
67A and 67C to pivot the dogs 47 in the direction of arrow 62, FIG.
7. The dogs inside surfaces 59 slide on the cam tab surfaces 73
from the portions 61 as far as respective portions 99 of the dogs
inside surfaces. That action pivots the dogs to working locations,
and the dogs first ends 49 approach and contact the first radial
surfaces 38 in the rope wheel hub 36. At that point, there is a
space S1 between the outside surfaces 53 of the dogs and the first
surfaces 71 of the cam tabs 67B and 67D. Pivoting of the dogs to
their working locations also causes their second ends 51 to enter
two openings 89 in the drive cup 81.
[0044] When the dogs first ends 49 contact the rope wheel hub
radial surfaces 38 no further pivoting of the dogs 47 relative to
the rope wheel 35 is possible. Accordingly, continued rotation of
the rope wheel under the impetus of the person continuing to pull
the rope pull handle 41 forces the dogs, by way of their inside
surface portions 99, to force the cam 63 to rotate in unison with
the rope wheel. Simultaneously, the dogs inside surfaces at
portions 115 force the drive cup 81 to rotate in unison with the
rope wheel and thereby rotate the auger 3.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the person and the dog-type recoil actuated
auger 1 at the end of the pull stroke. The person then releases the
rope pull handle 41, under control, with a straight line motion 103
in a return stroke. That action enables the recoil spring 43 to
rotate the rope wheel 35 in the direction of arrow 44 (FIG. 7).
Again, friction between the D-washer 77 and the cam 63 keeps the
cam stationary at the start of the return stroke. The distances S1
are taken up such that the first step 55 on each dog 47 contacts
the first surface 71 of the associated cam tab 67B or 67D, FIG. 8.
Continued rotation of the rope wheel pivots the dogs in the
direction of arrow 64 out of engagement with the drive cup openings
89 and back toward the dogs retracted locations. Pivoting of the
dogs continues by the sliding of their outside surfaces 53 on the
cam tabs first surfaces until the cam tabs first surfaces contact
the dogs second steps 57. At that point, the dogs inside surfaces
59 have contacted the rope wheel hub surface 40, and the dogs
cannot pivot further. As a result the dogs force the cam to rotate
in unison with the rope wheel back to the start of the operating
cycle of FIGS. 1 and 5, but without any rotation of the drive cup
81 or auger 3. The cycle is repeated as often as needed to drill
the desired hole in the ice or earth 9.
[0046] It is an important feature of the invention that the auger 3
is rotated about the longitudinal axis 7 using only the straight
line motions 101 and 103 of the persons's arm, hand, and shoulder.
The problems associated with the multiple circular motions required
for prior manual augers with offset handles is therefore
eliminated. Even persons of modest strength are capable of drilling
holes using the present invention.
[0047] As mentioned previously, the auger 3 is disconnectable from
the recoil drive system 5 by means of the socket 107 and thumb
screw 113. It will be appreciated, of course, that the auger shaft
11 and the recoil mechanism drive shaft 111 may be a single
integral piece, if desired.
[0048] In summary the results and advantages of holes in ice and
earth can now be more fully realized. The dog-type recoil actuated
auger 1 of the invention provides both an ergonomically sound way
to manually operate an auger 3 as well as unidirectional rotation
of the auger. This desireable result comes from using the combined
functions of the recoil drive system 5. The handle 28 provides a
good grip for a person's first hand. The recoil mechanism 19
rotates the auger in response to straight line motions 101 and 103
of the person's second hand, arm, and shoulder. The person exerts
the straight line motions on the rope pull handle 41 to selectively
wind and unwind the rope 39 on the rope wheel 35. The cam 63
cooperates with the dogs 47 on the rope wheel to pivot the dogs
between working and retracted locations. When in their working
locations, the dogs engage the drive cup 81 and force it to rotate
with the rope wheel, thereby rotating the auger. In a return
stroke, the dogs pivot out of engagement with the drive cup back to
their retracted locations, thereby allowing the rope to rewind on
the rope wheel without turning the auger.
[0049] It will also be recognized that in addition to the superior
performance of the dog-type recoil actuated auger 1 of the
invention, its construction is such as to to be of modest cost in
relation to the benefits it provides. Its ergonomically superior
design more than compensates for any increased cost relative to
prior ergonomically unsatisfactory manual augers.
[0050] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the invention, a dog-type recoil actuated auger
that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth
above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and
variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *