Abstract:
A portable auger rack is disclosed, adapted to allow a single operator to transport a plurality of augers and an auger drive unit, as well as to allow a single operator to connect the drive unit and augers unassisted to a skid-steer, Bobcat®, or other variation of track equipment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to construction equipment, and more particularly relates to transporting and storing augers used in drilling earth in connection with construction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Augers and auger drive units are well-known in the art. Earth augers comprise sharp helical tools used in drilling to extract earth and aggregate from a construction area. Augers are also used to facilitate the construction of wells, the installation of piping, and the like. Augers are used in a various apparatii to move fluids, gravel, grain, snow, oil, and the like, from one position to another. 
         [0005]    In construction, standard augers, which are used to drill holes in earth, can range from just a few inches in diameter to more than four feet in diameter. These augers often comprise sharp bits detachably connected to the forward end of the auger for engaging rock and other aggregates. The augers themselves can weigh hundreds of pounds or more, and are cumbersome to transport from one location to another. Because of their size, it is difficult to transport a plurality of augers simultaneously, and there exists no efficient means in the art of stores or securing augers during transport, much less means of doing so by a single human operator. Additionally, auger drive units are necessary for operation of heavy augers. These auger drive units comprise electro-mechanical, hydraulic motors, usually affixable to a skid steer, backhoe, mini excavator, compact track loader, Bobcat®, or any of a plethora of various types of tractors and track vehicles. 
         [0006]    Using current methods, systems, and apparatii, at a minimum, two to three operators are needs to transport, secure, stabilize and ready a track vehicle, auger drive unit, and an auger for drilling. It can be very dangerous for a single operator, or even two operators, to attempt to ready the auger, track vehicle, and auger drive unit alone. 
         [0007]    It is therefore desirable that a portable, compact auger rack be provided which can be managed by a single human operator. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for portable, compact auger rack for single-operator function. Beneficially, such an apparatus would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a means for securing, transporting, and reading augers for drilling. 
         [0009]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available information management systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a portable auger rack for transporting augers, the portable auger rack comprising: a generally rectangular frame comprising: an elongated forward member between 0.5 meters and 5 meters in length, the forward member formed from a rigid metallic substance, the forward member permanently affixed to one or more of a right side member and a left side member; an elongated rear member between 0.5 meters and 5 meters in length, the rear member formed from a rigid metallic substance, the rear member permanently affixed to one or more of the right side member and the left side member. 
         [0010]    The right side member is permanently disposed within the frame in generally parallel orientation to the left side member, the right side member permanently affixed to the forward member at an angle of between 30 and 120 degrees, the right side member permanently affixed to the rear member at an angle of between 30 and 120 degrees. 
         [0011]    The left side member in a generally parallel orientation to the right side member, the left side member permanently affixed to the forward member at an angle of between 30 and 120 degrees, the left side member permanently affixed to the rear member at an angle of between 30 and 120 degrees; one or more cylindrical receptacle(s), with open top(s), for receiving a tip of an auger, each of the receptacles permanently affixed at their base to one of the rear member, the forward member, the left side member, and the right side member. 
         [0012]    The auger rack further comprises one or more rigid elongated arm(s), each arm pivotably affixed to a component of the auger rack, wherein each arm extends laterally above the frame from its point of affixation to a distal point above a receptacle; and one or clasp(s), each clasp affixed to an arm, each clasp for detachably gripping an auger resting in a receptacle. 
         [0013]    The auger rack may further comprise two vertically oriented U-shaped channels for receiving and securing a cradle of an auger drive unit, wherein the U-shaped channels are permanently affixed to the frame. 
         [0014]    One or more arms may be pivotably connected to a U-shaped channel. The auger rack may further comprise a plurality of elongated support members, the support members each affixed at a proximal end to the frame, the support members each affixed at a distal end to an arm. The left side member and right side member may each respectively define a hollow recess for receiving a fork of a fork lift. 
         [0015]    The auger rack may further comprise or more housing(s) affixed to the frame, each housing defining a hollow recess for receiving a fork of a fork lift. The auger rack may further comprise or more crossbeam(s), each crossbeam affixed to two or more of the forward member, the rear member, the left side member and the right side member. 
         [0016]    The auger rack may further comprise or more plinth(s) affixed to an underside of the frame for engaging ground, wherein the plinth(s) are formed from one of hydrocarbons and steel. The auger rack may further comprise or more plinth(s) affixed to an underside of the frame for engaging ground. 
         [0017]    A second auger rack is also disclosed comprising: a frame comprising: an elongated forward member, the forward member formed from a rigid substance, the forward member permanently affixed to one or more of a right side member and a left side member; and an elongated rear member, the rear member formed from a rigid substance, the rear member permanently affixed to one or more of the right side member and the left side member. 
         [0018]    The frame further comprises the right side member; wherein the right side member is permanently disposed within the frame in generally parallel orientation to the left side member, the right side member permanently affixed to the forward member at approximately a right angle, the right side member permanently affixed to the rear member at approximately a right angle; the left side member, wherein the left side member in a generally parallel orientation to the right side member, the left side member permanently affixed to the forward member at approximately a right angle, the left side member permanently affixed to the rear member at approximately a right angle. 
         [0019]    The auger rack further comprises one or more receptacle(s), with open top(s), for receiving a tip of an auger, each of the receptacle(s) permanently affixed at their base to one of the rear member, the forward member, the left side member, and the right side member; one or more rigid elongated arm(s), each arm detachably affixed to a component of the auger rack, wherein each arm extends laterally above the frame from its point of affixation to a distal point above a receptacle; and one or clamp(s), each clamp affixed to an arm, each clamp for engaging an auger. 
         [0020]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational perspective view an quick attached hitch, auger and auger drive unit known in the prior art; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational perspective environmental view an auger drive unit attached to a Bobcat® known in the prior art; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a lower elevational view of an auger rack, with secured augers, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack, with secured augers, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational perspective view a quick attach hitch, auger and auger drive unit  100  known in the prior art. The auger drive unit  100  unit comprises a cradle  102 , a mounting bracket  104 , and a hex derive auger drive unit  106 . The auger drive unit  106  is detachably connected to the proximal end of the auger  108 . 
         [0031]    The cradle  102 , mounting bracket  104 , auger drive unit  106 , and auger  108  are well-known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0032]    The mounting bracket  104  is used to detachably mount the auger drive unit  100  to a track vehicle. 
         [0033]    The auger drive unit  106  shown comprises a hex drive, but may also comprise a round drive. The output torque of the drive unit  106  can vary between 100 ft. lbs and 35,000 ft. lbs, and the output speed of the drive unit  106  may vary from 10 rpm to 1,000 rpm. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational perspective environmental view an auger drive unit  150  attached to a Bobcat®. 
         [0035]    The auger drive unit  150 , Bobcat  152  and auger  108  all known in the prior art. The auger drive unit may comprise either a hex drive or round drive as known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack  200  in accordance with the present invention. The auger rack  200  comprises, in the shown embodiment, a right side member  202   a,  a left side member  202   b,  a forward member  204   a,  a rear member  204   b,  a receptacle  206   a,  a receptacle  206   b,  a crossbeam  208 , a fork channel  210   a,  a fork channel  210   b,  a U-shaped channel  212   a,  a U-shaped channel  212   b,  a bracket  214   a,  a bracket  214   b,  a support  216 , an auger arm  218   a,  an auger arm  218   b,  a clasp  220 , a cotter pin  222 , and a strut  224 . 
         [0037]    The frame consists of the right side member  202   a,  the left side member  204   b , the forward member  204   a,  and the rear member  204   b  (the frame components collectively referred to hereinafter as the “members  202 - 204 ”). These members  202 - 204  are affixed, or welded to one another, at generally right angles to form the frame. 
         [0038]    Each of the members  202 - 204 , in the shown embodiment, comprise elongated, hollow steel tubes. Each of the members  202 - 204  may alternatively comprise rods, beams, plates, or pipes. Each of the members  202 - 204  may alternatively comprise cubic-shaped polymer housings. The members  202 - 204  may comprise a number of holes, bores, or apertures drilled through the members  202 - 204  for securing aftermarket components to the auger rack  200 . These apertures may be circular in shape and serves the purpose of receiving a detachable receptacle  206 . 
         [0039]    The members  202 - 204  may be manufactured from polymers, wood, metals, alloys, and the like. The member  202 - 204  may be curved, bent, or angled along either the y-axis or an orthogonal x-axis. 
         [0040]    The members  202 - 204  collectively form the frame, or chassis, of the auger rack  200 . The members  202 - 204  may be cubic or cylindrical in shape. In the shown embodiment, the frame is rectangular (“rectangular” defined herein to include the square shape) from a top perspective view looking down a y-axis. In alternative embodiments, the frame, from this perspective, may be circular, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, or otherwise. 
         [0041]    The members  202 - 204  may comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving supports  216  and/or U-shaped channels  212   a - b  and/or one of the forward member  204   a,  the rear member, the right side member  202   a,  and/or the left side member  202   b.    
         [0042]    The receptacles  206   a - b , in the shown embodiment, comprise cup-like, open-topped, housings for receiving either the tip of an auger  108 , or an auger tip detachably affixed to an auger  108 . In either case, the auger  108  is secured, or constructively secured, by auger rack  200  as further illustrated below in relation to  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
         [0043]    The receptacles  206   a - b  may be permanently or detachably affixed to any of the members  202 - 204 , or one or more crossbeam(s)  208 . The receptacles may be made of steel, wood, and/or polymers, and may comprise baskets, cups, cylinders, cubes, or any other three-dimensional shape with an open top or open upper surface. In some embodiments, the receptacles may comprise clasps or rings which grip the auger  108  laterally from the side. 
         [0044]    The crossbeam  208  comprises an additional member, like each of members  202 - 204 , which is used to further stabilize and strengthen the auger rack  200 . In the shown embodiment, the crossbeam  208  is affixed to both the forward member  204   a  and the rear member  204   b.  In alternative embodiments, the crossbeam  208  may be affixed to any combination of two of the members  202 - 204 . In the preferred embodiment, the crossbeam  208  is welded to two of the members  202 - 204 . 
         [0045]    In the shown embodiment, the right side member  202   a  and the left side member  202   b  both comprise open forward and rear ends. The right side member  202   a  and the left side member  202   b  both define hollow recesses, or cavities, into which the fork of a fork lift can be inserted for lifting, moving and transporting the auger rack  200 . Forks, and fork lifts, are well-known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0046]    In alternative embodiments, additional fork housing are permanently affixed to one or more of the members  202 - 204 , either above or below the frame, for receiving one or more forks. 
         [0047]    The U-shaped channels  212   a - b  comprise elongated beams, affixed at a proximal end to one of the members  202 - 204  and affixed to nothing at an opposing distal end. The U-shaped channels  212   a - b  each comprise a u-shaped channel, surrounded on three sides by the beam and open on a fourth side. The open sides of the U-shaped channels  212   a - b  face one another when the u-shaped channels are affixed to the auger rack  200 . The U-shaped channels face one another at a predetermined distance of separation, such that a cradle  102 , or chassis affixed to an auger drive unit  106 , may be slid downwardly between the U-shaped channels  212   a - b , such that the cradle  102  is secured laterally within the U-shaped channels  212   a - b . This distance of separation may vary from 0.1 meters to 10 meters. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, brackets  214   a - b  are secured within the U-shaped channels  212   a - b , and the brackets  214   a - b  and screwably attached to a cradle  102  or an auger drive unit  106 . The brackets  214   a - b  may be first detachably secured to the cradle  102 , mounting bracket  104 , or other components of an auger drive unit  106  or its incidental components. The brackets  214   a - b  may be tapered at either or both ends to more easily facilitate insertion of the brackets  214   a - b  into the U-shaped channels  212   a - b  by a machine such as a fork lift, Bobcat, or track vehicle. 
         [0049]    The U-shaped channels may secured or hold a quick attach hitch, such as quick attach hitch  100 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the auger rack  200  further comprises bolts, buckles, sleeves, sleeve pins, claps or other locking mechanisms for locking the auger drive unit  106 , or quick attach hitch  100 , in place one it is secured within the U-shaped channels  212   a - b.    
         [0051]    The support  216 , like the crossbeam  208 , comprises an elongated beam, rod, stick, or sleeve, which may be hollow or solid. In the preferred embodiment, the support  216  is steel, but also be formed from wood, iron, brass, polymers and the like. 
         [0052]    The support  216  is affixed at one end to the frame or a crossbeam  108 . Unlike the crossbeam  108 , the support  216  substantially parallels the y-axis of the auger rack  200 , while the crossbeams are orthogonal to the y-axis of the auger rack  200 . The support  216  is affixed at one end to an auger arm  218 , such as auger arm  218   b.  The length of the support  216  approximates the length of an auger  108  intended to be secured by the auger rack  200 . In some embodiments, the support  216  is telescopic. In other embodiments, the support  216  is otherwise extrudable, adjustable, extendable, or retractable using means known to those of skill in the art. The support  216  may comprise and rack-and-pinion device. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a plurality of supports  216 . 
         [0053]    The auger arms  218   a - b , like the support  216 , comprise elongated beams. Unlike the support  216 , the auger arms  218   a - b  are disposed orthogonally to the y-axis of the auger rack  200 . The auger arms  218   a - b  are pivotably affixed to one end of the support  216  in the shown embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the auger arms  218   a - b  are slidably or detachably affixed to the support  216 . In some embodiments, the auger arms  218   a - b  are hingedly connected to a support  216  such that they may be lifted vertically away from an auger  108  resting in a receptacle  206 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the auger arms  218   a - b  are affixed to other components of the auger rack  200 , such as one of the U-shaped channels  212   a - b.    
         [0054]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the auger arms  218   a - b  are telescopic. In other embodiments, the auger arms  218   a - b  are extrudable, adjustable, extendable, or retractable using means known to those of skill in the art. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a plurality of auger arms  218 . 
         [0055]    The clasp  220  comprises a clasp, clamp, or fastener, meant to detachably grip an auger  108  using means known to those of skill in the art. The claps  220  may comprise a circlip, a strap, a band clamp, a pipe clamp, a hose clamp, buckle, rope, or the like. 
         [0056]    The cotter pin  222  is used to close the clasp  220  in the shown embodiment, and well-known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0057]    The strut  224  comprises in physical form a crossbeam  108 . However, the strut  224  is affixed at a proximal end to one of the members  202 - 204  and a crossbeam  108 , and is affixed at a distal end to one of the U-shaped channels  212   a - b , supports  216 , and receptacle  206   a - b.    
         [0058]      FIG. 3  is a lower elevational view of an auger rack  300 , with secured augers  108 , in accordance with the present invention. The auger rack  300  comprises, in the shown embodiment, a right side member  202   a,  a left side member  202   b,  a forward member  204   a,  a rear member  204   b,  a crossbeam  208 , a U-shaped channel  212   a,  a U-shaped channel  212   b,  a bracket  214   a,  a bracket  214   b,  a support  216   a,  a support  216   b,  an auger arm  218   a,  an auger arm  218   b,  a plinth  302   a,  a plinth  302   b,  a plinth  302   c,  a plinth  302   d,  tapering  304   a,  and tapering  304   b.  Also shown in an auger  108 . 
         [0059]    The right side member  202   a,  left side member  202   b,  forward member  204   a , rear member  204   b,  crossbeam  208 , U-shaped channel  212   a,  U-shaped channel  212   b,  bracket  214   a,  bracket  214   b,  support  216   a,  support  216   b,  auger arm  218   a,  auger  108 , and auger arm  218   b  are all substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0060]    This perspective view is meant to show the auger rack  300  in a configuration securing augers  108 . In the shown embodiment, each of the members  202 - 204  are connected to two other members  202 - 204  at 90 degree angles. Each of the members  202 - 204  may be connected to another components at angles of between 20 and 150 degrees. 
         [0061]    The plinths  302   a - d  comprise metal, fabric, or polymer spacers affixed to the bottom of the frame, and meant for engaging the ground. In some embodiments, the plinths  302   a - d  are designed to absorb some level of shock when the auger rack  300  in placed on the ground by a Bobcat or track vehicle. In other embodiments, the plinths  302   a - d  are meant to prevent damage from the ground to frame. The plinths  302   a - d  may be substantially square, circular, triangular, polygonal, or the like. The plinths  302   a - d  may comprise tread, or texturing, to prevent slippage of the auger rack  300  across inclined or slippery ground surfaces. 
         [0062]    The tapering  304   a - b  comprise tapering bracket edges for more easily inserting the brackets  214   a - b  into the U-shaped channels  212   a - b . The brackets  214   a - b  may be tapered at either or both ends. 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack  400  in accordance with the present invention. The auger rack  400  comprises, in the shown embodiment, a left side member  202   b,  a forward member  204   a,  a rear member  204   b,  a U-shaped channel  212   a , a U-shaped channel  212   b,  a bracket  214   a,  a bracket  214   b,  a support  216   a,  a support  216   b,  an auger arm  218   a,  an auger arm  218   b,  a clasp  220   a,  and a clasp  220   b.    
         [0064]    Each of the left side member  202   b,  forward member  204   a,  rear member  204   b , U-shaped channel  212   a,  U-shaped channel  212   b,  bracket  214   a,  bracket  214   b,  support  216   a , support  216   b,  auger arm  218   a,  auger arm  218   b,  clasp  220   a,  and clasp  220   b  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 2-3 . 
         [0065]    The dimensions of the auger rack  400  shall not exceed ten meters, by ten meters, by ten meters. 
         [0066]    In the shown embodiment, the brackets  214   a - b  are not tapered as they are in  FIG. 3 . The brackets  214   a - b  may be either tapered or untapered. 
         [0067]    The auger rack  400  may be lifted by forks attached to a Bobcat, skid steer, compact track loader, mini excavator, and the like. 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  is an elevational perspective view an auger rack  500 , with secured augers  108 , in accordance with the present invention. The auger rack  500  comprises, in the shown embodiment, a left side member  202   b,  a rear member  204   b,  a fork channel  210   a,  a fork channel  210   b,  a U-shaped channel  212   a,  a U-shaped channel  212   b,  a bracket  214   a,  a support  216 , an auger arm  218   a,  and an auger arm  218   b.  Also shown are augers  108   a - b.    
         [0069]    Each of the left side member  202   b,  rear member  204   b,  fork channel  210   a , fork channel  210   b,  U-shaped channel  212   a,  U-shaped channel  212   b,  bracket  214   a,  support  216 , auger arm  218   a,  auger arm  218   b,  augers  108   a,  and auger  108   b  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 5  is meant to shown another perspective view of an auger rack  500  loaded with augers  108   a - b . In the shown embodiment, the auger arms  218   a - b  are hingedly connected to supports  216 , such that the auger arms  218   a - b  rise vertically away from the augers  108   a - b.    
         [0071]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.