Boring or penetrating the earth – With tool shaft detail – Helix or helically arranged structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-10-02
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)
Boring or penetrating the earth
With tool shaft detail
Helix or helically arranged structure
C111S116000, C175S388000, C175S394000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296068
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a planting device that optimizes pre-started “annuals” planting. It also opens the possibility for specialized “fertilizing disc” and other “consumable” products that additionally enhance its effectiveness and increase sales.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been known to use an auger or other cookie-cutter type tools to plant perennial flower bulbs, usually at between 4-6″ deep. Cookie-cutter type tools are limited in what they do not pulverize the dirt, have no means to control multiple hole depths, require a lot of manual labor and are tough to use if there is a lot of debris on or in the soil.
Simple augurs are limited in what they do and are not designed for efficient use at the size and depth of pre-started annual flowers, which are the most common type of planting. Also, if a typical homeowner's variable speed drill is used to power an auger and is run slowly, it tends to bog down or grab. If it is run fast, the dirt flies all over the place and thus is not available to fill around the new plants. Also this flying debris can be a hazard to the gardener or others that may be nearby. If mulch or other types of ground cover are present, they contaminate the back-fill since the dirt coming out of the hole goes on top of this surrounding material. In addition there is no way to accurately and easily measure planting depth or provide for multiple planting depths. In some cases a rectangular tab has been welded on the shaft but this only gives a single depth, usually at 6″ which is too deep for most perennials. This tab cannot be adjusted or go into the hole, and since it is spinning it can be dangerous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a multipurpose tool tailored to annual flower planting, but it also improves perennial bulb planting. The auger can also be used in other applications such as loosening soil, digging small holes, cleaning out drain pipes, etc. It has solved all of the above drawbacks and problems with an inexpensive, reliable three-piece assembly. This technology also provides several additional useful features, previously unavailable. These dramatically shorten the time needed for planting while doing the job better. In a time study which included removing mulch from around the hole, it only took on average ten seconds for each plant. This is less than ⅕ the time compared to doing it by hand using a small hand garden spade. The tool pieces are: (1) a special hole drilling auger with tapered dirt unloading ramp, root cutter and depth measurement rings marked on its shaft, (2) a shroud which improves safety by preventing accidental contact with the auger and also provides mulch removal, rock and debris sifting and a catch for it, dirt unloading and perimeter dirt piling, and (3) a simple elastomeric slip ring for the shroud height adjustment which regulates ground cover removal. This also provides a friction plate between the shroud and this ring. This friction provides safe spinning forces to thoroughly remove ground cover and mulch.
The key features allow the normal multiple planting steps to be accomplished better, more safely, automatically and in a single powered operation. Resulting advantages are (1) uniform, quality holes are produced through the combination of tool elements; (2) stand-up operation is permitted using a power drill; (3) point positioning and tool centering make it easy to start the holes even in mulch-covered ground; (4) root cutting minimizes grabbing and vibration and improves the hole quality; (5) the protective shroud reduces the residual flying debris hazard and prevents accidental contact with the auger; (6) mulch or ground debris are removed automatically before digging starts; (7) the dirt is pulverized as it is being excavated; (8) the pulverized dirt is automatically piled around the debris-cleared perimeter of the hole; (9) large rocks or debris are sifted by a catch ring that is easy to empty; (10) an accurate and easily readable depth scale permits measuring the real hole depth while standing up.
An optional stop ring can be slipped over the auger shaft. It is easy to get the hole depth right every time when this mechanical stop is locked in place.
REFERENCES:
patent: 152522 (1874-06-01), Sandlin
patent: 183467 (1876-10-01), Pierce
patent: 187705 (1877-02-01), Collins
patent: 204025 (1878-05-01), Glass
patent: 706396 (1902-08-01), Enrenfeld
patent: 2352326 (1944-06-01), Kandle
patent: 2385441 (1945-09-01), Hill
patent: 4807710 (1989-02-01), Greeley
patent: 5133269 (1992-07-01), Charneski
patent: 5564353 (1996-10-01), Wade et al.
Jenkens & Gilchrist
Petravick Meredith C.
Will Thomas B.
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