Abstract:
A hollow auger head assembly for penetrating geological formations that utilizes drill bit assemblies to which both blades and finger bits are attached. The method of securing the individual drill bit assemblies to the auger head reduces incidents of the drill bit assembly becoming detached from the auger head during drilling operations. Additionally, a rust-resistant attachment mechanism is used attach the drill bit assemblies to the auger head, which makes the drill bit assemblies easier to remove and replace. The configuration and arrangement of the bits improves cutting efficiency, increases wear life and reduces the likelihood of the bits breaking during operation.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. Ser. No. 10/799,496 entitled “HOLLOW AUGER HEAD ASSEMBLY,” filed on Mar. 12, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,258, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/183,212, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,637, entitled “HOLLOW AUGER HEAD ASSEMBLY,” filed on Jun. 27, 2002 for inventors/applicants Raymond W. Burns and James Regna. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Rotary earth drills are commonly used in drilling operations, especially for drilling holes and conducting subsurface soil testing. These drills utilize drill bits to cut away soil and rock which is then removed from the drilling area up the shaft. Frequently, drill bits break, or lose their edge with age and use, and when they cease to be effective in removing soil or rock, the drilling operation must be stopped, the drill removed and the bits replaced. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize drill bits that retain their edge for the longest possible duration to reduce the occurrence of bit replacement. 
   Additionally, after drill bits have been used in drilling operations, it is often difficult to remove them from the heads. This is especially true because it is desirable to perform replacements on site, which is typically in a remote area with limited resources. Some mounting methods have been used that simplify replacement, but result in an increased incident of drill bits coming detached from the head during drilling operations. 
   Accordingly, a continuing search has been directed to the development of tools that are more rugged and durable that need to be replaced less frequently, drill earth with greater efficiency, and that can be replaced easily on site, when necessary. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is directed to a rotary earth auger that utilizes drill bit assemblies to which both blades and finger bits are attached. The configuration and arrangement of the bits improves cutting efficiency, increases wear life and reduces the likelihood of the bits breaking during operation. 
   The individual drill bit assemblies have a self-locking hook configuration and are retained on the auger head by means of a unique sandwich mechanism to reduce incidents of the drill bit assembly becoming detached from the auger during drilling operations. Additionally, the drill bit assemblies are attached to the auger using an attachment method that resists rusting when the drill is in use, which makes the drill bit assemblies easier to remove from the drill when it is necessary to replace the bits. 
   The invention is a hollow auger head assembly for penetrating geological formations, comprising a hollow auger head configured such that it can be secured to a conventional auger used for drilling, and at least two drill bit assemblies secured to the hollow auger head. Each drill bit assembly comprises a drill bit body having a means of attachment, at least one finger bit secured to the underside of the drill bit body, and at least one blade secured to the front edge of the drill bit body. 
   The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a bottom elevation view of a hollow auger head assembly embodying features of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view showing assembly of the parts of a hollow auger head assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partially exploded view showing assembly of the parts of a hollow auger head of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of the underside of a drill bit assembly of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a drill bit assembly of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the discussion of the FIGURES the same reference numerals will be used throughout to refer to the same or similar components. In the interest of conciseness, various other components known to the art, such as drilling components and the like have not been shown or discussed. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates the hollow auger head assembly of the present invention. The assembly  100  includes a hollow auger head  10 , and one or more drill bit assemblies  50 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the assembly of the parts that comprise the hollow auger head assembly  100  of the present invention. Each drill bit assembly  50  is secured to the hollow auger head  10 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing method comprises a rust-resistant bolt  2  and a rust-resistant nut  4 , made of a material such as stainless steel. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the securing method can be other than a nut  4  and bolt  2 ; however, it is desirable to use a securing method that will keep the pieces securely together during use. Similarly, while the securing method can be made of any material, it is desirable to use materials that resist rusting so the drill bit assembly  50  can be easily detached from the hollow auger head assembly  100  after it has been in use in subterranean conditions. 
     FIG. 3  shows the parts of the hollow auger head assembly  100 . The hollow auger head  10  comes in various sizes that correspond with standard size augers used in drilling operations so the hollow auger head assembly  100  can be used with standard drilling equipment. The number of drill bit assemblies  50  that will be used in a particular hollow auger head assembly  100  depends on, among other things, the size of the auger being used. Typically, at least two drill bit assemblies  50  are used on a hollow auger head assembly  100 . 
   The hollow auger head  10  consists of an auger pin  12  to which two or more brackets, or sets of brackets  20 , have been cast, or welded, soldered, or otherwise secured, depending on the number of drill bit assemblies  50  that will be used on that hollow auger head assembly  100 . The sets of brackets  20  are positioned equidistant from each other around the circumference of the auger pin  12 . The auger pin  12  is configured with through-material holes  13  and keyway grooves  14  such that it can be connected with conventional augers, and an auger key will fit into a keyway  14  on the auger pin  12 . 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a set of brackets  20  is used to secure each drill bit assembly  50  to the auger pin  12 . Each bracket set  20  consists of a top bracket  22 , a lower bracket  24  and a back bracket  26 , each of which is cast, or soldered or welded to the auger pin  12  along one side such that a gap exists between the top bracket  22  and lower bracket  24  of a size such that the drill bit assembly  50  can be inserted between the top bracket  22  and lower bracket  24 . By positioning the drill bit assembly  50  between a top bracket  22  and a lower bracket  24 , the drill bit assembly  50  is given greater security and is therefore less likely to break or become disconnected during use. 
   The drill bit assembly  50  is inserted into the gap between the top bracket  22  and lower bracket  24  and the holes in the brackets  22 ,  24  and drill bit assembly  50  are aligned. In a preferred embodiment, a bolt  2  is inserted through the holes in the brackets  22 ,  24  and drill bit assembly  50 , and secured with a nut  4 . 
   When the drill bit assembly  50  is properly positioned between the upper bracket  22  and lower bracket  24 , the rear edge of the drill bit assembly  50  should be close to the back bracket  26 . The back bracket  26  provides lateral stability for the drill bit assembly  50  when the hollow auger head assembly  100  is in use. This reduces the likelihood of the drill bit assembly  50  moving relative to the brackets such that the bolt  2  could become loose, or be subject to shear pressure such that it would break. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top bracket  22  has a front edge that has a sinusoidal shape comprising a protruding finger  21  and a recessed curved slot  23 . The front edge of the top bracket  22  forms an interlock with the mirror image sinusoidal shape of the upper edge of the drill bit assembly  50 . The finger  21  on the top bracket  22  fits snugly into the receptacle on  51  on the drill bit assembly  50 , while the finger  53  on the drill bit assembly  50  fits into the receptacle  23  on the top bracket  22 . Even if the bolt  2  were to become loose or break, this self-locking interlock would help ensure the drill bit assembly  50  stayed securely positioned in the top bracket  22 . 
     FIG. 2  also shows the positioning of the bracket sets  20  on the hollow auger head  10 , relative to the auger pin  12  and each other. The positioning of the bracket sets  20 , and as a result the drill bit assemblies  50 , on the hollow auger head  10  relative to each other is an important consideration in the functionality of the hollow auger head assembly  100 . The arrangement of the drill bit assemblies  50  on the hollow auger head assembly  100  is such that the finger bit or bits  60  on a drill bit assembly  50  loosens material and feeds it to the blade  56  on the next drill bit assembly  50  on the auger head assembly  100  for further processing. Proper positioning of the drill bracket sets  20  on the hollow auger head  10  ensures that the drill bit assemblies  50  are properly positioned so that the loosened material is delivered to the blade  56  of the next drill bit head assembly  50  in an efficient manner. 
   In alternative arrangements of the present invention, a different number of brackets can be used to secure the drill bit assembly  50  to the hollow auger head  10 . Similarly, brackets of a different shape can be used to secure the drill bit assembly  50  to the auger pin  12 . 
   The underside of a drill bit assembly  50  is shown in detail in  FIG. 4 . The hole  52  for securing the drill bit assembly  50  to the bracket set  20  can be clearly seen. The drill bit assembly  50  shown has one conical finger bit  60  on the underside. However, depending on the particular configuration of the auger head assembly  100  being used, more than one finger bit  60  can be used. The finger bits  60  are designed so that when they are mounted on the drill bit assembly  50 , the cutting edge of the finger bit  60  has a negative rake, or angle, relative to the movement of the hollow auger head assembly  100 . 
   Because the cutting portion of the finger bit  60  contacts the geological material which it is drilling into at a negative angle, the cutting edge of the finger bit  60  is protected from excessive wear and cracking that would reduce the life of the finger bit  60 . The negative angle relative to the geological material also reduces the impact between the finger bit  60  and the geological material, which reduces the wear on the finger bit  60  and the likelihood of damage to the finger bit  60 . 
   Additionally, a layer of high-quality, wear-resistant metal, such as tungsten carbide or carbide coated metals may be bonded to at least the cutting edge of the finger bit  60  to increase the life of the finger bit  60 . The layer of wear-resistant material may be secured to the finger bit  60  by means such as brazing or use of a bonding material, which bonds the finger bit  60  and wear-resistant materials together when heated. 
   In alternate arrangements of the hollow auger head assembly  100 , finger bits  60  that are of a shape other than conical can also be used. The shape, number and position of the finger bits  60  used depends on the exact configuration and intended usage for the hollow auger head assembly  100 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of a drill bit assembly  50  of the present invention. The drill bit assembly  50  comprises a drill bit body  54 , one or more finger bits  60 , and a blade  56  secured along the front of the drill bit body. A hole  52  has been cut, reamed or drilled through the drill bit body  54  to allow insertion of a fastening mechanism so the drill bit assembly  50  can be secured to a bracket set  20 . 
   The drill bit body  54  is shaped to have an inward facing receptacle  51  and a finger  53  along the top of the drill bit body  54 . The finger  53  on the drill bit body  54  fits snugly into the receptacle  23  on the top bracket  22  of the hollow auger head  10 , while a finger  21  on the top bracket  22  fits snugly into the receptacle on  51  on the drill bit body  54 . The drill bit body  54  has a downward slope  55  from the receptacle  51  and finger  53  to the front edge of the drill bit body  54  where the blade  56  is secured. This slope  55  is useful in channeling processed geological material away from the blade  56  and up and out the auger. 
   The blade  56  is comprised of one or more pieces of hardened, wear-resistant material secured along the front edge or edges of the drill bit body  54 . The blade  56  is usually made of wear-resistant metal, such as tungsten carbide or carbide coated metals which may be secured to the drill bit by means such as brazing or use of a bonding material which bonds the drill bit body  54  and blade  56  together when heated. The material can be sharpened as needed, and will retain the sharpened edge for an extended period of time. In some configurations of the drill bit assembly  50 , hardened material is also placed along the front slope  55  of the drill bit body  54 . In some configurations of the drill bit assembly  50 , hardened material is also placed along the outer edge of the drill bit body  54  for cutting and processing of geological materials which come in contact with that edge of the drill bit assembly  50 . The exact position and number of pieces of material on the drill bit body  54  depends on the specific arrangement and use of the hollow auger head assembly  100 . 
   In operation, the hollow auger head assembly  100  is secured to an auger and used to drill into geological formations. The drill bit assemblies  50  are positioned around the hollow auger head  10  an appropriate distance from each other and in a proper alignment relative to each other. As the auger is rotated, the finger bits  60  on the drill bit assemblies  50  break up the geological material with which they come in contact. The negative angle of each finger bit  60  is such that the geological material it has broken up is fed back and up to the blade  56  of the next drill bit assembly  50  on the hollow auger head assembly  100 . That blade  56 , further processes and breaks up the geological material, and then feeds it up over the front slope  55  of the drill bit assembly  50 , and subsequently up the auger and out of the drilling area. 
   Because a finger bit  60  on a drill bit assembly  50  feeds the blade  56  of the next drill bit assembly  50  on the hollow auger head assembly  100 , positioning of the drill bit assemblies  50  on the hollow auger head assembly  100  relative to each other is critical. Further, the combination of finger bits  60  and blades  56  in a single assembly increases efficiency of breaking up and moving away of geological materials in the drilling operation. 
   It is understood that the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the position, shape and number of finger bits  60  on a drill bit assembly can be varied. As another example, pieces of hardened material can be attached to the outside edge of the drill bit assembly by a variety of methods. These pieces of hardened material can assist in the breaking up of the geological formation being processed. The position, shape and number of pieces of hardened material can vary, and still be within the scope of the present invention. Yet another example is the number of pieces, shape and size of the pieces of hardened material affixed to the front of the drill bit assembly, which can be varied, but still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.