Patent Description:
Present-day archaeological testing of areas of archaeological potential is conducted by manually excavating numerous test pits - typically, several hundred test pits are excavated for larger scale projects - arranged in a geo-referenced grid covering the area. The standard size of the test pits used by archaeologists to test the ground for archaeological remains is <NUM> by <NUM> cross-section and depth of <NUM>. The soil extracted from the test pits is then, typically manually, screened for archaeological remains before the test pits are back filled.

Manual testing for archaeological remains is extremely labour intensive, costly, and time consuming, typically at a rate of approximately <NUM> test pits per person per standard <NUM> hour work day.

Furthermore, manually dug test pits are not of the same size, substantially reducing the accuracy of the testing due to the non-uniformity of the test pits. Another problem of manual testing is "spill-in" of sediments surrounding the test pits - in particular, gravel rich soil - causing cross-contamination of the extracted soil, further reducing the accuracy of the testing.

Manually dug test pits are excavated to a maximum depth of <NUM> to minimize risk of operator injury, thus the testing of particularly older sites is substantially limited, i.e. the manual digging is stopped prior reaching the depths where archaeological remains may be found.

Employment of conventional augers in archaeological testing is limited to very small soil augers. Holes having a diameter substantially smaller than <NUM> are drilled in close proximity to each other and the soil retrieved by the auger is then processed by hand on the surface. Again, the "spill-in" effect is encountered by which soil from the auger and/or profile of the fresh test pit during excavation cross-contaminates the extracted soil.

While employment of tubular soil augers, as disclosed, for example, in <CIT> and <CIT>, increases the sample retaining capacity of the auger, the size of the auger is still substantially limited, as well as the "spill-in" effect is still encountered.

<CIT> teaches a drilling auger for excavating a water well. Apertures are disposed in a barrel of the drilling auger in order to drain water from the soil contained in the barrel.

<CIT> teaches a drilling auger contained in an auger casing.

<CIT> teaches a method for producing a borehole in which a drill pipe and a conveyor screw inside the drill pipe are set into rotation and into the soil. Soil material is loosened by means of at least one main cutting edge.

<CIT> teaches a cylindrical drilling tool having one end coupled to a motor assembly for rotating the tool by way of an elongate rotatable sleeve. A hydraulic jack is disposed in the sleeve for rotation therewith. The piston rod of the jack extends longitudinally of the drilling tool and carries a valve-action member arranged to allow drilled material to enter the drilling tool and to retain the material therein. The piston rod is movable longitudinally relative to said tool for the discharge of said material.

<CIT> teaches a pile boring tool for producing a pile bore with a central tube coaxial to the boring axis, at least one edge directed transversely to the boring axis and on which is provided a plurality of cutting teeth and a conveying mechanism for receiving and/or conveying away soil removed by the cutting teeth.

It is desirable to provide an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that substantially prevents "spill-in" effects.

It is also desirable to provide an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

It is also desirable to provide an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables provision of water during the soil screening.

It is also desirable to provide a method of operating an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

There is described an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that substantially prevents "spill-in" effects.

There is described an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

There is described an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables provision of water during the soil screening.

There is described a method of operating an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an encased soil auger apparatus according to claim <NUM>. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of extracting and screening soil according to claim <NUM>. Certain more specific aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

More generally, the present disclosure provides an encased soil auger apparatus. The encased soil auger apparatus comprises an auger casing forming a hollow cylindrical body. A wall of the auger casing has a plurality of openings having a predetermined size for enabling passage of particles therethrough. A soil auger having a helical screw blade is disposed in the auger casing in a coaxial fashion. A soil engaging end portion of the auger protrudes a first end of the auger casing.

An example encased soil auger apparatus comprises an auger casing forming a hollow cylindrical body. A wall of the auger casing has a plurality of openings having a predetermined size for enabling passage of particles therethrough. A soil auger having a helical screw blade is disposed in the auger casing in a coaxial fashion. A soil engaging end portion of the auger protrudes a first end of the auger casing. The soil engaging end portion of the auger extends from a longitudinal axis approximately a same distance as an outside radius of the auger casing. The encased soil auger apparatus further comprises an end cap for enclosing the soil engaging end portion of the auger after extraction of the soil.

There is described a method of extracting and screening soil. An encased soil auger apparatus according to the invention is provided. The encased soil auger apparatus is placed at a predetermined location with a longitudinal axis thereof oriented substantially vertical. The encased soil auger apparatus is drilled into the soil until a predetermined depth is reached. The encased soil auger apparatus containing the extracted soil is then retracted and an end cap is mounted to the auger casing for enclosing the soil engaging end portion of the auger. The encased soil auger apparatus is then moved such that the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented substantially horizontal and the extracted soil contained in the auger casing is screened.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that substantially prevents "spill-in" effects.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables provision of water during the soil screening.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of operating an encased soil auger apparatus for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archeological assessments that enables soil extraction and soil screening using the same apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

While the description of the apparatuses hereinbelow is with reference to a quick mount plate for connecting the encased soil auger apparatus to the boom of a skid-steer, it will become evident to those skilled in the art that the apparatuses disclosed herein are not limited thereto, but are adaptable for connecting the same to other light-heavy duty mechanical implements such as, for example, an excavator or tractor.

Referring to <FIG>, an encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> according to a reference example is provided. The encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> comprises an auger casing <NUM> forming a hollow cylindrical body. A wall of the auger casing <NUM> has a plurality of openings <NUM> disposed therein having a predetermined size for enabling passage of particles therethrough. A soil auger <NUM> having a helical screw blade is disposed in the auger casing <NUM> in a coaxial fashion - longitudinal axis <NUM>. A soil engaging end portion <NUM> of the auger <NUM> protrudes a first end 101A of the auger casing <NUM>. A second end 101B of the auger casing <NUM> is pivotally movable mounted to an auger quick mount plate <NUM> via split end plate and mounting ring <NUM>, pivoting control arms <NUM>, and auger support bracket <NUM>, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to <FIG>. The auger support bracket <NUM> articulates the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> enabling proper vertical orientation of the same for drilling. Auger drive shaft <NUM> is connected to auger drive assembly <NUM> and pivotally movable in a conventional fashion.

In an example implementation the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> has a length L of <NUM> and a diameter D of <NUM>, enabling drilling of a standard test pit, and is driven using a hydraulic drive providing <NUM> litres per minute hydraulic pressure. Of course the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> can be adapted to various different sizes, for example, having a length L greater than <NUM>, enabling testing of older sites where archaeological remains may be found at greater depths.

Optionally, as illustrated in <FIG>, a water inlet - preferably comprising an injector such as, for example, a spray nozzle - is disposed in end plate <NUM> and connected to articulating pipe <NUM> and flexible hose <NUM> via articulating pipe <NUM> through auger quick mount plate <NUM>. The flexible hose <NUM> is, for example, connected to a water pump and water tank coupled to skid-steer <NUM> for pumping water for injection into the auger casing <NUM> during screening, as will be described hereinbelow.

<FIG> illustrate the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> connected to boom <NUM> of the skid-steer <NUM> with: <FIG> illustrating the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> in a raised vertical position prior drilling; <FIG> illustrating the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> fully disposed in drilled test pit <NUM>; and <FIG> illustrating the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> a raised horizontal position for soil screening.

Referring to <FIG>, the pivoting control arms <NUM> are, at a first end thereof, pivotally movable mounted to a commercially available auger quick mount plate <NUM> via, for example, steel mounting plates <NUM> welded to the auger quick mount plate <NUM> and gusseted mounting tabs <NUM> welded or otherwise fastened in a conventional manner to the respective steel mounting plate <NUM>. A second end of each of the pivoting control arms <NUM> is pivotally movable mounted to the split end plate and mounting ring <NUM> in a conventional manner.

<FIG> illustrates a soil auger <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention mounted to the quick mount plate <NUM> with separated auger casing <NUM> and separated end cap <NUM>. The auger casing <NUM> is made, for example, as a frame structure comprising two rings 101A forming the two end portions of the auger casing <NUM> and connecting members 101B with the rings 101A and connecting members 101B made of, for example, sheet material and welded together in a conventional manner. Screen 101C, for example, a steel wire mesh, is mounted to the frame structure in a conventional manner. Alternatively, in a reference example, the auger casing <NUM> is made of sheet material forming the wall thereof, for example, steel sheet material is rolled in cylindrical shape and welded in a conventional manner. Openings <NUM> are disposed in the sheet material in conventional manner using punching or laser cutting technology. The auger casing <NUM> has, preferably, a wall thickness between <NUM> and <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>" and ¾") depending on the type of sediment in the test area. The mesh size or the size of the openings is determined in dependence upon the size of particles that are desired to be retained in the auger screen <NUM> after screening. Preferably, the size is a standard size used in archaeological testing, for example <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>"). Optionally, auger casings <NUM> having different screen sizes, for example, <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>"), are provided, in order to enable changing of the screen size during testing, for example, depending if archaeological remains have been found or not. The second end of the auger casing <NUM> is mounted to the mounting ring <NUM> in a conventional manner using, for example, screw fasteners or a clamping mechanism, enabling simple mounting/removal of the same.

End cap <NUM> is made in a similar fashion as the auger casing <NUM> as a frame structure with a wire mesh or made of sheet material having openings disposed therein. Optionally, the openings re omitted in the end cap <NUM>. The end cap <NUM> further comprises a fastening mechanism such as, for example, chain binders or ratchet straps <NUM> to easily and removably attach the same to the auger casing <NUM>. The end cap <NUM> is employed for enclosing the soil engaging end portion of the auger after extraction of the soil and during screening.

<FIG> illustrates the soil auger <NUM> having the auger casing <NUM> and the end cap <NUM> mounted thereto, as it is used after extraction of the soil and during screening.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the soil engaging end portion <NUM> of the auger <NUM> extends from the longitudinal axis <NUM> approximately a same distance as an outside radius R of the auger casing <NUM>, in order to provide clearance for the auger casing in the borehole. Preferably, the soil engaging end portion <NUM> comprises a plurality of cutting teeth 105A with an outer cutting tooth 105A. <NUM> extending from an outside edge 102A of the auger screw blade <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a method of extracting and processing soil according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. In an example implementation the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> is mounted to the boom <NUM> of the skid-steer <NUM>. The encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> is placed at a predetermined location with the longitudinal axis thereof oriented substantially vertical, as illustrated in <FIG>. When in place, the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> is drilled into the soil until a predetermined depth, for example, <NUM>, is reached, as illustrated in <FIG>. The encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> containing the extracted soil is then retracted and, after the complete removal of the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> from the borehole, end cap <NUM> is mounted to the auger casing <NUM> to enclose the soil engaging end portion of the soil auger <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, respectively. Preferably, the end cap <NUM> is mounted to the auger casing <NUM> immediately after complete removal of the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> from the borehole in order to prevent spillage of the extracted soil. The encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> is then moved such that the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented substantially horizontal, as illustrated in <FIG>. The extracted soil contained in the auger casing <NUM> is then screened, for example, by rotating the soil auger <NUM> clockwise and counterclockwise in an alternating fashion. Smaller particles of the screened soil fall to the ground or are collected in a respective receptacle, as illustrated in <FIG>, respectively. After screening, larger objects are collected in the end cap <NUM>, for example, by moving the encased soil auger apparatus such that the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented substantially vertical and rotating the soil auger to transport the remaining larger objects into the end cap <NUM>. The end cap <NUM> with the collected larger objects is then removed from the auger casing <NUM> and the encased soil auger apparatus <NUM> is ready for drilling the next test pit, as illustrated in <FIG>. The collected larger objects are then investigated by an archaeologist to determine if the test pit is positive or negative for archaeological remains. Optionally, water is injected into the auger casing <NUM> during screening, <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An encased soil auger apparatus (<NUM>) for mechanical extraction and processing of soil for archaeological assessments comprising:
an auger casing (<NUM>) forming a hollow cylindrical body, a wall of the auger casing having a plurality of openings (<NUM>) having a predetermined size for enabling passage of particles therethrough; and
a soil auger (<NUM>) having a helical screw blade disposed in the auger casing in a coaxial fashion, a soil engaging end portion (<NUM>) of the auger protruding a first end (101A) of the auger casing;
wherein the auger casing (<NUM>) comprises a screen (101C).