Abstract:
A soil sampler having a hollow, ground-contacting drum having a hollow, tapered probe projecting outwardly therefrom for extracting soil plugs. Each soil plug is discharged by gravity into the drum interior. As the drum rotates, all soil plugs are blended with each other. After soil plug collection, the drum is raised and a chute is inserted into the drum. As the drum continues to rotate, the blended soil sample falls from the top of the drum into the chute, slides down the chute and is deposited into a removable cup on a horizontal circular platform of a soil collection carousel assembly. The circular platform is then rotated to bring a new, empty cup into position to receive the next blended sample. The soil sampler is mounted on a trailer drawn by a truck or tractor. All functions are remotely controlled from the cab of the truck or tractor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority in accordance with 37 U.S.C. §1.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/516,869 filed Apr. 11, 2011 and which is included herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to soil sampling apparatus and, more particularly, to a semi-automatic, vehicle drawn soil sampling apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Agronomy is the branch of agriculture dealing with field-crop production and soil management. Modern field crop farming relies on precision treatment of the soil. However, no soil treatment is possible before soil analysis indicates the precise treatment required. 
     The types of soil and climate in a given area, determine to a great extent, the kind of farming and the various crops that can be successfully grown at such location. Within any given area there are many kinds of soil having certain properties that require different land practices based on the residual and natural level of fertility. Because of these inherent variations, soil analysis has become a highly specialized field of endeavor for the chemical and fertilizer industry. Through research and experimentation these specialists have come to know what to expect of different types of soil and how to best supplement each particular type to produce maximum crop yield. 
     A good laboratory soil test and recommendation is primarily predicated on a reliable soil sample. Said test and any recommendations derived therefrom are only as reliable and accurate as the composite sample taken from the soil strata. Conversely, a poor soil sample can result in recommendations which are misleading to the producer and can cause lower yields due to the improper use of supplements. Before discovery of the subject invention, the conventional method of taking soil samples has been by the use of a clean bucket and a spade or by the use of a simple soil auger. Such methods are laborious, expensive, and time consuming and to say the least, not always reliable as the sampling operation is in such instances always subject to the element of error on the part of the sampler. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Attempts may be found in the prior art to provide some aspects of the present invention. For example, U.S. Reissue Pat. No. RE 30,901 for SOIL SAMPLING DEVICE, reissued Apr. 13, 1982 to Phillip P. Boxrud teaches a device for attachment to the drawbar of a tractor or similar vehicle for removing cores of soil from the ground. A plurality of hollow probes is mounted on the perimeter of a drum that may be lowered by a hydraulic cylinder to make contact with the ground. As the drum rotates, core samples are removed from the ground and deposited into the interior of the drum. 
     The RE 30,901 patent to BOXRUD is not seen to teach or suggest the novel soil sampling apparatus of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a soil sampling apparatus consisting of a hollow, ground-contacting drum having a hollow, tapered probe projecting outwardly from a central perimeter of the drum. The probe is communicative with an interior region of the drum and serves to extract soil plugs from the ground as the drum rolls therealong. Each soil plug is discharged by gravity from the probe and falls into the interior of the drum. As the drum rotates, all soil plugs are mixed with each other within the drum. 
     Once soil plugs from the desired area are collected, the drum is raised and rotated with a motor to continue to blend the combined soil sample. A chute is then inserted into an opening in the side of the drum. As the drum continues to rotate, the blended soil sample falls from the top of the drum into the chute. The blended sample slides down the chute and is deposited into a removable sample collection cup retained in a sample cup receptacle disposed on the upper surface of a horizontal circular platform forming a part of a soil collection carousel assembly. Once the sample is in the collection cup, the horizontal circular platform is rotated to bring a new, empty sample collection cup into position to receive the next blended sample. 
     The soil sample assembly is mounted on a trailer and may be pulled behind a truck or tractor. All functions are remotely controlled from the cab of the truck or. tractor 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus for removing multiple soil samples from a traversed area. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus comprising a drum and at least one tapered soil sampling probe connected thereto. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein a sample collecting drum is movable between a lowered, sampling position and a raised position. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein multiple samples from a desired sampling area are blended and then collected in a container. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein multiple, selectable soil sample containers are provided and multiple areas, each producing a unique blended sample, may be sampled without human intervention. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein all operations involved are controlled by a remote control panel. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein a television camera is disposed to remotely monitor operation of the soil collection apparatus. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a mobile, automatic soil sampling apparatus wherein during a blended sample discharge, soil sampling probes are cleaned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a right side elevational view of the soil sampling apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the soil sampling apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the soil sampling apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a detailed left elevational view of a portion of a soil collection and mixing drum forming part of the soil sampling apparatus of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a detailed cross-sectional, elevational view of the soil probe of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed top rear perspective view of a portion of the soil sampler  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a portion of the soil sampler  100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed top perspective view of detent and pawl mechanism forming a portion of a sample collection carousel of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a control panel and television monitor in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a soil sampling apparatus for pulling behind a tow vehicle such as a tractor, truck, etc. The novel soil sampling apparatus periodically extracts a plug of soil using an interchangeable, tapered soil probe. The extracted soil sample is discharged into the interior region of a rotating drum where it is mixed with other soil samples. When a desired length of a field has been sampled, the mixed soil samples are discharged into a numbered collection cup disposed on a rotary sample collection carousel. The carousel is then rotated to move the next sample collection cup into a position to receive a subsequent mixed soil sample. 
     All functions of the soil sampling apparatus may be controlled from a remote control panel, typically located adjacent the driver of the tow vehicle. A closed circuit television monitor located adjacent the remote control panel and connected to a camera disposed on the soil sampling apparatus is provided to allow the operator to visually monitor the operation of the soil sampler. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , there are shown right, rear, and left elevational schematic views, respectively, of an embodiment of the soil sampling apparatus in accordance with the invention, hereinafter the soil sampler, generally at reference number  100 . 
     Soil sampler  100  is supported on a trailer  102  having a frame  106  having a tongue with a hitch  108  at a distal end thereof adapted for removable interconnection to a tow vehicle  112 , a pair of wheels  104 , and all other features (e.g., tail/brake lights, turn indicators, running lights, etc., none of which are shown) that allow trailer  102  to be legally moved on a road or highway. It will be recognized that soil sampler  100  may alternately be supported on a self propelled vehicle such as a truck, not shown. 
     It should be recognized that tow vehicle  112  forms no part of the present invention and is shown merely to illustrate soil sampler  100  in its intended operational environment. Tow vehicle  112  may be any vehicle adapted to traverse the land to be sampled and capable of pulling soil sampler  100 . Typical tow vehicles  112  include tractors, all-wheel drive trucks, or other such vehicles. It will be further recognized that trailer  102  may be moved from one location to another by any vehicle capable of pulling a trailer, not necessarily a vehicle capable of pulling soil sampler  100  across ground to be sampled. 
     Trailer frame  106  is typically an elongated rectangular structure having a flat bed or floor  110  typically selectively formed from a combination steel plate or steel mesh. Steel mesh is used as a trailer floor in those areas where sampled dirt may spill and accumulate. A steel mesh floor in these areas of the trailer  102  bed  110  allows any spilled dirt, not shown, to fall through the floor  110 . 
     A thin hollow drum  114  is aligned substantially parallel to a major axis of trailer frame  106 . Drum  114  is rotatively affixed to a pivot arm  122  that has a proximal end  124  pivotally affixed to trailer frame  106  proximate a front left corner  126  thereof. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, drum  114  has a closed left side to which an axle  128  is centrally affixed. A cross-section of hollow drum  114  is curvilinear. It will be recognized that other cross sectional shapes, for example, a V-shape may be substituted for the curvilinear cross sectional shape chosen for purposes of disclosure. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the curvilinear cross sectional shape chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable cross section shapes for hollow drum  114 . 
     Axle  128  rotates in bearings  130  attached to pivot arm  122 . Drum  114  is therefore, cantilevered from pivot arm  122 . It will be recognized that in alternate embodiments alternate mounting arrangements may be substituted for the cantilevered arrangement chosen for purposes of disclosure. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the disclosed drum mounting arrangement. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable drum mounting arrangement. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4   a , hollow drum  114  has a large opening  116  disposed in a right side thereof. A series of outwardly-pointing, ground-engaging drive protrusions of blades  118  are disposed externally around the central perimeter of hollow drum  114 . 
     A stanchion  132  having a pair of spaced-apart vertical members, not specifically identified, allows pivot arm  122  to move vertically therebetween. Limit switch  136  disposed near an upper end of stanchion  132  is disposed to interact with pivot arm  122  to limit vertical movement of drum  114  between a lowered, operational position and a predetermined raised, stored position controlled by limit switch  136 . 
     A pulley support frame  138  supports a pulley  140  proximate the top thereof. A cable  142  is attached to a distal end  144  of pivot arm  122  and is threaded over pulley  140  and, subsequently, to a winch  146  adapted to wind and unwind cable  142  thereto and therefrom. Winch  146  is typically attached to trailer frame  106  proximate a left rear corner  148  thereof and, typically is electrically powered. 
     A drum drive motor  184  disposed adjacent to and operatively connected to drum axle  128  is provided to rotated drum  114  when it is in a raised, non-sampling position. Drum drive motor  186  is disposed under a protective weather cover and safety shield  188 . 
     An interchangeable, hollow, tapered probe  150  protrudes outwardly from the central perimeter of drum  114 . Probe  150  is communicative with the interior of drum  114 . As may best be seen in  FIG. 4   a , one or more mixing blades  136  are disposed on an inside perimeter of drum  114   
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4   b , there is shown a detailed cross-sectional, elevational view of soil probe  150 . Soil probe  150  is formed from a cylindrical pipe  200  having an inside diameter (ID)  202  and an outside diameter  204 . An interior taper  206  is formed on a portion of an inner surface, not specifically identified, of cylindrical pipe  200  between a lower point  208  and an upper point  210 . An external taper  212  is formed on an external surface, not specifically identified, of cylindrical pipe  200  between point  210  and tip  214 . The interior region  216  between point  208  and tip  214  is cylindrical and represents the smallest interior diameter of soil probe  150 . 
     A chamfer  224  may be formed adjacent tip  214  of soil probe  150  to facilitate penetration of soil probe  150  into the ground, not shown, being sampled. 
     The upper end of soil probe  150  is formed from a hex bushing  218  having exterior threads  220  adapted for removable connection with threads, not shown, forming a part of hollow drum  114 . 
     An upper end of cylindrical pipe  200  is inserted into hex busing  218 . A weld  222  forms a seal between hex bushing  218  and an outer surface, not specifically identified, of cylindrical pipe  200 , thereby securing cylindrical pipe  200  to hex bushing  218 . 
     Probe  150  is typically screwed or otherwise removably attached to drum  114  to allow ease of replacement. Probes  150  having different diameters and/or different lengths may be provided to meet any particular operating circumstance or environment. Different soil types may require different diameters for probe  150 . Different sampling requirements may also determine the length of probe  150  required. Probe  150  may be replaced when wear due to usage or damage so requires. 
     As mentioned hereinabove, drum  114  is movable between a lowered, operative, ground-engaging position wherein the weight of drum  114  holds drum  114  against the ground, and a raised non-operative, stored position created when winch  146  winds cable  142  thereby raising distal end  144  of pivot arm  122 . Pivot arm  122  functions as a class 2 lever, its load (i.e., drum  114 ) located between its fulcrum (i.e., rotatively affixed proximate end  124 ) and with the force applied thereto by winch  146  via cable  142  to distal end  144 . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there are shown a detailed top rear perspective view and a top plan view, respectively of a portion of the soil sampler  100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . A movable chute  152  having a major axis, not specifically identified, disposed substantially orthogonally to the major axis of trailer frame  106  is pivotally affixed to bed  110  of trailer  102  near a proximal end  154  of chute  152 . A distal end  156  of chute  152  may selectively enter opening  116  of drum  114  such that sampled soil, not specifically identified, within drum  114  falls onto chute  152  as drum  114  rotates. Chute  152  is selectively moved into and withdrawn from an interior region of drum  114  by a chute actuator  186  and an intermediate mechanism  188  operatively attached to actuator  186  and chute  152 . 
     A soil sample collection carousel  158  is provided adjacent proximal end  154  of chute  152 . Carousel  158  has a circular platform  160  disposed horizontally and rotatively affixed to trailer bed  110 . Detents  162  regularly spaced around the perimeter of circular horizontal platform  160  perform two functions. First, detents  162  interact with a pawl  164  to prevent reverse rotation of horizontal circular platform  160 . Pawl  164  may best be seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     In addition, detents  162  provide a surface against which an electrically actuated platform advance pusher  166 , best seen in  FIG. 7 , acts to advance horizontal circular platform  160  a predetermined number of degrees. 
     Mounted on an upper surface of circular horizontal platform  160  are a series of equidistantly spaced-apart sample cup holding receptacles  168 . Sample cup holding receptacles  168  are typically open, hollow cylinders each having an inside diameter sized to receive a sample cup  170 . Each sample cup holding receptacle  168  bears indicia on an outer surface thereof, typically a number to allow later identification of samples received therein. The spacing of sample cup receptacles and detents  168  is matched to successively position a sample cup  170  under proximal end  154  of chute  152  such that sampled soil from within drum  114  may be discharged thereinto. 
     In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, soil collection carousel  158  supports ten labeled sample cup holding receptacles  168 . It will be recognized that other numbers of sample cup holding receptacles  168  could be used with suitable modifications to other system components. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the ten sample cup holding receptacles  168  chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather the invention is intended to include fewer or additional sample cup holders. 
     It will further be recognized that sample collection systems other than circular platform  160  might be substituted therefor. The invention is intended to cover any such sample collection systems. 
     In still other embodiments, each sample could be packaged directly in a plastic bag, not shown, or other similar sample container and each bag identified with indicia provided by an ink jet printer or a similar mechanism. 
     Carousel  158  has a circular cover  172  that may be hinged along a midpoint  174  thereof. Circular cover  172  typically has an opening  176  therein to allow sampled soil discharged from drum  114  via chute  152  to pass through cover  176  into a sample cup  170  positioned on circular horizontal platform  160  positioned therebelow. 
     A television camera  178  is mounted near the front of trailer  102  and typically aimed to view the contents of hollow drum  114  while soil sampler  100  is in operation. A TV monitor  180  is typically disposed adjacent a driver, not shown, of tow vehicle  112  and also adjacent a control panel  182  that allows the driver of tow vehicle  112  to control the operation of the elements of soil sampler  100 . Remote control  182  and television monitor  178  are best seen in  FIG. 8 . 
     A probe brush  190  is disposed forward of drum  114  and spaced such that a distal end of probe  150  brushes probe brush  190  whereby any soil clinging within probe  150  is released. 
     In alternate embodiments, two options may be added to the exterior of drum  114 . First, a coulter blade, not shown, may be affixed to drum  114  to prepare soil ahead of probe  150  thereby allowing a soil core sample to be more readily removed. 
     In a second alternate embodiment, a row cleaner, not shown, such as a device placed forward of a planting drill may be used to remove or displace surface debris such as corn stalks that could interfere with the operation of soil sampler  100 . 
     In operation, soil sampler  100  is driven to a field or other plot of land to be sampled, neither shown, by tow vehicle  112 . When in position to begin sampling, winch  146  is actuated from control panel  182 . Operating winch  146  allows pivot arm  122  carrying hollow drum  114  to be lowered to a ground-engaging, operational position. Tow vehicle  112  is moved forward and hollow drum  114  revolves as ground-engaging protrusions  118  cause hollow drum  114  to revolve as tow vehicle  112  moves forward. 
     As drum  114  revolves, hollow tapered probe  150  pierces the ground and removes a soil sample thereof. Further rotation of hollow drum  114  brings it to an orientation where gravity causes the earth sample within hollow tapered probe  150  to fall into an interior region of hollow drum  114 . The process continues until a desired region of the field being sampled has been traversed. 
     As hollow drum rotates, mixing blade  120  functions to help blend the accumulating soil sample within hollow drum  114 . 
     When a desired region of the field being sampled has been traversed, hollow drum  114  is raised by again actuating winch  146 . When hollow drum  114  has been raised, drum rotation motor  184  is started from remote control panel  182  and hollow drum  114  is rotated for a time sufficient to ensure that the soil samples within hollow drum  114  are thoroughly blended. Chute  152  is then actuated from remote control panel  186  and is moved into the interior of hollow drum  114  so as to receive the blended soil sample at its distal end  156 . 
     As hollow drum  114  is rotated, soil carried to the zenith falls onto chute  152  and slide down chute  152  to proximal end  154  thereof positioned adjacent cover opening  176  and the sampled soil sliding down chute  152  is discharged into a sample cup  170  positioned directly therebelow. 
     When the entire soil sample is discharged into a sample cup  170 , chute  152  is withdrawn from within hollow drum  114 . 
     Platform advance pusher  166  is actuated from remote control panel  182  and circular platform  160  is rotated to the next detent position. 
     When all sample cups have been filled by successive sampling runs, the sample cups  170  are emptied into individual labeled bags, not shown, and the bags are stored for transport to a soil analysis facility. Sample cups  170  may be discarded or may be cleaned and replaced in sample cup holding receptacles as desired. 
     An optional storage container  192  may be disposed on trailer  102 . 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.