U.S. patent application number 12/148107 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for recoil auger with clutch bearing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mark M. Pflieger and Eugene H. Pflieger. Invention is credited to David C. Pflieger.
Application Number | 20080190667 12/148107 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039580 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080190667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pflieger; David C. |
August 14, 2008 |
Recoil auger with clutch bearing
Abstract
A recoil auger enables holes to be drilled by using only
straight line motions of a person's hand, arm, and shoulder. The
recoil auger is comprised of a recoil drive system connected to an
output 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 includes a clutch bearing 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 output shaft and one or more suitable
handles enable more than one person to operate the recoil auger at
the same time.
Inventors: |
Pflieger; David C.; (Two
Rivers, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Laura A. Dable;RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
Post Office Box 26618
Milwaukee
WI
53226-0618
US
|
Assignee: |
Mark M. Pflieger and Eugene H.
Pflieger
|
Family ID: |
38039580 |
Appl. No.: |
12/148107 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11274846 |
Nov 15, 2005 |
|
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12148107 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/57 ;
175/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 11/005 20130101;
E21B 7/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/57 ;
175/203 |
International
Class: |
E21B 3/03 20060101
E21B003/03 |
Claims
1. A recoil mechanism comprising: a. an output shaft adapted for
connection to a predetermined longitudinal shaft for manually
unidirectionally rotating the predetermined shaft about a
longitudinal axis in response to a person exerting bi-directional
straight line motions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the
person; b. a housing that rotatably guides the output shaft; c. a
rope wheel that rotates in first and second directions; and d. a
clutch bearing that unidirectionally rotates the output shaft in
response to rotation of the rope wheel in the first and second
directions, so that the output shaft rotates in the first direction
when the rope wheel rotates in the first direction, and the output
shaft is stationary when the rope wheel rotates in the second
direction.
2. The recoil mechanism of claim 1 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 motions with the first hand, arm, and
shoulder.
3. The recoil mechanism of claim 2 wherein the housing comprises a
circular ring that enables multiple persons to grasp the
handle.
4. A recoil mechanism adapted for connection to a predetermined
shaft for manually unidirectionally rotating the shaft about a
longitudinal axis in response to a person exerting bi-directional
straight line motions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the
person, wherein the recoil mechanism comprises: a. an output shaft
connected to the shaft; b. a plurality of recoil mechanisms
connected to the output shaft each including a rope wheel that
rotates in first and second directions, the output shaft rotating
in the first direction in response to any rope wheel rotating in
the first direction, the output shaft being stationary in response
to no rope wheel rotating in the first direction; and c. a
plurality of housings each graspable by a different person, so that
the recoil mechanism is operable by a plurality of persons each
grasping a respective housing.
5. A method of rotating a shaft comprising the steps of: a.
providing a shaft; b. providing a recoil drive system having an
output shaft; c. connecting the shaft to the output shaft; d.
exerting a first motion on the recoil drive system in a first
straight line direction and rotating the shaft in a first
rotational direction; e. exerting a second motion on the recoil
drive system in a second straight line direction opposite the first
straight line direction without rotating the shaft; f. assembling
first and second recoil mechanisms to the output shaft; g.
assembling first and second handles to the output shaft; h.
grasping the first handle and exerting the first and second motions
on the first recoil mechanism; and i. grasping the second handle
and exerting the first and second motions on the second recoil
mechanism.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein: a. the step of providing a recoil
drive system comprises the step of providing a recoil drive system
having a handle; and b. the steps of exerting the first and second
motions comprise the steps of grasping the handle with a first
hand, and exerting the first and second motions with a second
hand.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein: a. the step of providing a recoil
drive system comprises the step of providing the recoil drive
system with a rope wheel and a clutch bearing; and b. the step of
exerting the first motion comprises the step of rotating the rope
wheel in a first rotational direction and causing the clutch
bearing to rotate the output shaft in the first rotational
direction.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of exerting the second
motion comprises the steps of rotating the rope wheel in a second
rotational direction, and enabling the output shaft to be
stationary during rotation of the rope wheel in the second
rotational direction.
9. A method manually unidirectionally rotating a shaft about a
longitudinal axis in response to a person exerting bi-directional
straight line motions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the
person comprising the steps of: a. providing a shaft; b. providing
a recoil drive system having an output shaft; c. connecting the
shaft to the output shaft, wherein the step of connecting the shaft
to the output shaft comprises the step of providing a housing, and
guiding the output shaft in the housing; d. exerting a first motion
on the recoil drive system in a first straight line direction and
rotating the shaft in a first rotational direction; and e. exerting
a second motion on the recoil drive system in a second straight
line direction opposite the first straight line direction without
rotating the shaft.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing a recoil
drive system comprises the step of assembling multiple recoil
mechanisms to the output shaft; and wherein the step of exerting
the first motion comprises the step exerting the first motion on
each of the recoil mechanisms.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein: a. the step of assembling
multiple recoil mechanisms comprises the step of providing a rope
wheel for each recoil mechanism; b. the step of exerting the first
motion comprises the step of exerting the first motion on each rope
wheel and thereby rotating the output shaft in the first rotational
direction; and c. the step of exerting the second motion comprises
the steps of rotating the rope wheels in the second rotational
direction, and enabling the output shaft to be stationary.
12. The method of claim 10 comprising the further steps of: a.
providing a handle on the output shaft; b. grasping the handle by
multiple persons; and c. exerting the first motion on each of the
multiple recoil mechanisms by the respective multiple persons.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/274,846, filed 15 Nov. 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to manually operated augers,
and more particularly to apparatus that uses straight line manual
motions to rotate an auger.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] Thus, a need exists for improvements in ways to operate
augers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a recoil auger
with a clutch bearing is provided that requires a person to exert
only bi-directional 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.
[0013] The auger has an auger shaft and a helical band around the
shaft. A working end of the helical band at the auger 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.
[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing is
rotatably mounted to one end of a drive shaft, which may be either
the auger shaft or a separate output shaft connected to the auger
shaft. The recoil mechanism utilizes a one-way clutch bearing to
impart unidirectional motion to the drive shaft in response to
straight line motions exerted by a person. The recoil mechanism
also includes a mounting sleeve secured to the drive shaft. On the
mounting sleeve is the one-way clutch bearing. The outer race of
the clutch bearing supports a rope wheel. Rotating the rope wheel
in a first direction also rotates the mounting sleeve and the drive
shaft. Rotating the rope wheel in the second direction has no
effect on the mounting sleeve or drive shaft. A recoil spring
biases the rope wheel to rotate in the second direction relative to
the mounting sleeve and drive shaft. A rope with a pull handle is
wound on the rope wheel. The rope is wound such that pulling the
pull handle rotates the rope wheel in the first direction.
[0015] In operation, a person grasps the handle with one hand and
the rope pull handle with the other hand. He pulls the rope pull
handle in a straight line motion with his hand, arm, and shoulder
to rotate the auger. Upon releasing the rope pull handle in an
opposite straight line motion, the recoil spring rotates the rope
wheel back to the starting position, rewinding the rope without
manual effort and without effect on the auger.
[0016] Further in accordance with the present invention, more than
one recoil mechanism may be incorporated into the recoil auger.
Each recoil mechanism has its own rope wheel and clutch bearing.
Different persons pull respective rope pull handles, thereby
increasing the speed and torque that can be applied to the auger.
The one-way clutch bearings enable pulling and rewinding each rope
independently of the other ropes.
[0017] To further increase the convenience of using the invention,
a separate handle may be incorporated into the recoil auger for
each recoil mechanism.
[0018] It is a feature of the invention that the auger may be
disconnected from the recoil drive system. For that purpose, the
drive shaft constitutes the separate recoil mechanism output shaft,
which is disconnectable from 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 recoil auger of the
invention may be broken down for easily transportation.
[0019] The method and apparatus of the invention, using just
straight line bi-directional 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.
[0020] 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
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use
at the start of a pull stroke of the recoil mechanism.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the
invention in use at the end of a pull stroke.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 of FIG.
3.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front view of a modified embodiment of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top view on an enlarged scale of FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention that incorporates dual recoil mechanisms each with its
own handle.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] 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.
[0030] Looking first at FIG. 1, a recoil auger 1 is illustrated
that includes the present invention. The recoil 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.
[0031] The particular recoil auger 1 illustrated is comprised of an
auger 3 connected to a manual recoil drive system 121. The auger 3
preferably has a sharpened end 6 opposite the recoil drive system
121. Operation of the recoil drive system causes rotation of the
auger about a longitudinal axis 122 of the recoil auger to drill
into the ice or earth 9.
[0032] The auger 3 includes an auger shaft 11 around which is a
helical band 13. The auger sharpened end 6 may be in the form of a
knife 15.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the recoil drive system 121 is
disconnectable from the auger 3. For that purpose, the auger shaft
11 has a socket 107 that receives an end 109 of a separate recoil
drive system output shaft 119, as will be explained shortly. A
thumb screw 113 is used to hold the shafts 11 and 119 to each other
and concentric to the longitudinal axis 122. In that manner, the
recoil auger 1 can be broken down for easy transportation.
[0034] The auger 3 is unidirectionally rotated by manual operation
of the recoil drive system 121. Looking also at FIGS. 3 and 4, the
recoil drive system comprises a housing 123 and a recoil mechanism
125. The housing 123 includes a plate 124 and a tubular wall 126.
Attached to the housing plate 124 is a handle 28. According to one
aspect of the invention, the handle 28 is constructed with a pair
of plates 30 welded or otherwise attached to the housing plate. A
bar 32 is welded between two plates 30.
[0035] Received in the housing tubular wall 126 is a thrust bearing
127. The inner race 128 of the thrust bearing 127 is fit over the
output shaft 119 to thereby guide the output shaft in the housing
123. A collar 129 with a bolt and nut 131 positively holds the
thrust bearing in place on the output shaft.
[0036] The recoil mechanism 125 is assembled to the output shaft
119. For that purpose, a mounting sleeve 133 is secured to the
output shaft, as by a bolt and nut 135. A one-way clutch bearing
137 is assembled over the mounting sleeve 133 and located against a
shoulder 139 thereon. Any commercially available clutch bearing of
adequate construction and torque capacity is suitable for the
clutch bearing 137. An example of a suitable clutch bearing is a
Model CSK25 marketed by Marland Clutch of Burr Ridge, Ill. Fit over
the outer race of the clutch bearing is a flange 141. A rope wheel
143 is fastened to the flange 141 by conventional fasteners, not
shown. In the outer periphery of the rope wheel 143 is a groove
145. A rope 39 is wound around the rope wheel groove 145. The rope
39 terminates in a rope pull handle 41.
[0037] There is a recoil spring 147 between the rope wheel 143 and
the mounting sleeve 133. The recoil spring 147 hooks at one end 152
thereof to the rope wheel, as to a rib 149. The other end 154 of
the recoil spring hooks to the mounting sleeve 133, such as in a
slot 151.
[0038] The recoil spring 147, rope 39, and clutch bearing 137 are
assembled in a definite relation to each other. The rope 39, is
initially wound on the rope wheel 143 with the recoil spring 147 in
a relaxed condition. Looking especially at FIG. 4, the rope is
wound on the rope wheel such that pulling the rope with a straight
line motion 101 rotates the rope wheel in the direction of arrow
153 about the longitudinal axis 122. Pulling the rope to rotate the
rope wheel winds the recoil spring. Upon releasing the rope, under
control, the bias of the wound recoil spring rotates the rope wheel
143 in the direction of arrow 155 to rewind the rope.
[0039] The clutch bearing 137 is assembled to the flange 141 and
the mounting sleeve 133 such that rotating the rope wheel 143 in
the direction of arrow 153 also rotates the mounting sleeve, and
hence the output shaft 119, in the direction of arrow 153. Rotating
the rope wheel in the direction of arrow 155 has no effect on the
mounting sleeve or output shaft.
[0040] In operation, a person grasps the handle 28 of the recoil
auger 1 with one hand 156, FIG. 1. With the other hand 158 he pulls
the rope pull handle 41 in a pull stroke with the straight line
motion 101, FIG. 2. Doing so rotates the rope wheel 143 in the
direction of arrow 153 against the bias of the recoil spring 147
and also rotates the mounting sleeve 133, output shaft 119, and
auger 3 because of the operation of the clutch bearing 137. At the
end of the pull stroke, the person releases the rope pull handle,
under control, in the straight line motion 103 in a return stroke.
That action causes the recoil spring to rotate the rope wheel and
flange 141 in the direction of arrow 155 to rewind the rope 39 on
the rope wheel. During the return stroke, the clutch bearing 137
freewheels such that none of the rotating motion of the rope wheel
and flange is imparted to the mounting sleeve. Consequently, the
rotating rope wheel and flange in the direction of arrow 155 has no
effect on the mounting sleeve. As a result, the output shaft and
auger do not rotate during the return stroke. The cycle is repeated
as often as necessary until the desired hole is drilled by the
auger.
[0041] It is an important feature of the invention that the auger 3
is rotated about the longitudinal axis 122 using only the
bi-directional straight line motions 101 and 103 of the person'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.
[0042] As mentioned previously, the auger 3 is disconnectable from
the recoil drive system 121 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 output shaft 119 may be a single
integral piece, if desired.
[0043] Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, a recoil auger 157 has an auger
159 with a blade 161 and auger shaft 163 that may be substantially
identical to the corresponding components of the auger 3 of FIGS. 1
and 2. A recoil drive system 164 connects to the auger 159 by means
of a socket 165 and thumb screw 167 in the auger shaft 163. The
recoil drive system 164 has a housing 169, two recoil mechanisms
171 and 173, and an output shaft 175. The housing 169 includes a
plate 170 that is rotatably mounted to the output shaft 175 in a
manner similar to the thrust bearing 127 and collar 129 of the
recoil drive system 121 of FIGS. 1-4. The recoil mechanisms 171 and
173 may be identical. Further, they may be identical to the recoil
mechanism 125 of the recoil drive system 121 described previously.
They also operate the same, except that a different person pulls
the rope pull handle of each recoil mechanism 171 and 173. Because
of the clutch bearings, pulling on the rope of one or other recoil
mechanism 171 or 173 has no effect on the operation of the other
recoil mechanism. Thus, it is not necessary for the two persons to
pull or release their respective pull handles simultaneously. It
will be appreciated, of course, that three or even more recoil
mechanisms can be incorporated into the recoil auger, if desired.
The result of multiple recoil mechanisms is a faster drilling of a
hole by the auger 159.
[0044] To enable two or more persons to operate the recoil auger
157, the housing 169 has a handle in the form of a circular
gripping ring 177. Also see FIG. 6. The ring 177 includes spokes
179 that span to the housing plate 170.
[0045] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a recoil auger 181 having an auger 3'
that is substantially identical to the auger 3 described above. A
recoil drive system 183 connects to the auger 3'. The recoil drive
system 183 has two substantially identical recoil mechanisms 185
and 185A each being substantially identical to the recoil mechanism
171 described above, and an output shaft 175'. The recoil drive
system 183 further has a housing 123', bearing 127', and handle 28'
that are substantially identical to the housing 123, bearing 127,
and handle 28, respectively, described previously in conjunction
with FIG. 3. It will be appreciated, of course, that a housing
similar to the housing 169 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be substituted for
the housing 123' and handle 28', if desired.
[0046] Between the recoil mechanisms 185 and 185A is a gripping
ring 187. The gripping ring 187 has a plate 189 with a tubular wall
191. A bearing 193 is pressed into the wall 191 and over the output
shaft 175'. The bearing 193 is held in place by a collar 195 and
bolt and nut 197. The plate 189 may be configured like the plate
170, in that it has a circular gripping ring and spokes analogous
to the ring 177 and spokes 179 described in conjunction with FIG.
6.
[0047] In summary, the results and advantages of holes in ice and
earth can now be more fully realized. The recoil auger with clutch
bearing of the invention provides both an ergonomically sound way
to manually operate an auger as well as unidirectional rotation of
the auger. This desirable result comes from using the combined
functions of the recoil drive system. The handle provides a good
grip for a person's first hand. The recoil mechanism rotates the
auger in response to straight line motions and of the person's
second hand, arm, and shoulder. The person exerts the straight line
motions on the rope pull handle to selectively wind and unwind the
rope on the rope wheel. The clutch bearing 137 rotates the auger
when the rope is pulled, but the clutch bearing freewheels during
the rope return stroke. Dual recoil mechanisms enable two persons
to simultaneously operate the recoil auger.
[0048] It will also be recognized that in addition to the superior
performance of the recoil auger of the invention, its construction
is such as 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.
[0049] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the invention, a recoil auger with clutch bearing
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.
* * * * *