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EP-4290045-B1 - AUGERS

EP4290045B1EP 4290045 B1EP4290045 B1EP 4290045B1EP-4290045-B1

Inventors

  • DOBERNIG, Nicholas
  • Ghorpade, Vishvajeet
  • CHOLST, Beth

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230530

Claims (11)

  1. An auger (10), comprising: a powerhead (12); a handle frame (14); and a drill bit (16), the drill bit (16) extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, characterized in that the drill bit is adapted to be selectively operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode, wherein torque applied to the drill bit by a motor of the powerhead (12) is greater in the breaker mode than in the normal mode, and wherein the drill bit (16) is translatable along the longitudinal axis in a reciprocating motion in the breaker mode.
  2. The auger of to claim 1, wherein the normal mode and breaker mode are user selectable.
  3. The auger of any of claims 1-2, further comprising a sensor which can detect when the breaker mode is necessary, and wherein the drill bit (16) is automatically operable in the breaker mode when the sensor detects that the breaker mode is necessary.
  4. The auger of any of claims 1-3, further comprising an intermediate shaft (60) along which the drill bit (16) is translatable in a reciprocating motion.
  5. The auger of any of claims 1-4, further comprising a user interface (30).
  6. The auger of any of claims 1-5, further comprising a gyroscope (120).
  7. The auger of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a roller (130).
  8. The auger of any of claims 1-7, further comprising a depth gauge.
  9. The auger of any of claims 1-8, further comprising an extension shaft (100) disposed between the powerhead (12) and the drill bit (16), wherein the drill bit (16) is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the extension shaft (100).
  10. The auger of claim 9, wherein the extension shaft (100) is insertable within the drill bit (16).
  11. The auger of any of claims 9-10, wherein the drill bit (16) is selectively fixable at a plurality of positions along the extension shaft (100).

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to outdoor tools such as augers, and in particular to hand-operated augers having features which facilitate improved digging capabilities. BACKGROUND Hand-operated digging apparatus, such as ground augers, are widely used to penetrate the ground and dig holes in the earth. A typical electric powered auger includes a powerhead and a rotatable drill bit with a helical auger blade coaxially mounted around the drill bit. An electric powered motor in the powerhead drives the drill bit and rotates the helical auger blade, which causes the drill bit to penetrate the soil. Generally, hand-operated augers are designed to be used with a broad range of soil or sand types having diverse physical properties and compositions. Accordingly, hand-operated augers having features which facilitate improved digging capabilities, such as in a variety of environments, would be advantageous. AU2018206792 relates to an electric spiral hole digger.AU2020386104 relates to an electric powered digging apparatus.US2020095830 relates to a digging apparatus.US2019195019 relates to a lightweight electric earth drill including a mounting plate, a drill stem and an outer shell, a motor installed on the mounting plate and configured to drive the drill stem to rotate, a rechargeable battery configured to power the motor, and a controller configured to control the motor and electrically connected to the motor and the rechargeable battery.US2014174824A1 relates to an electric auger including an auger assembly with a coupling assembly at a proximal end, a cutting assembly having at least one cutting blade located at a distal end, and a helical flight located between the proximal end and the distal end.EP3833842 relates to a percussion device.US2014216773 relates to a method for controlling an electric machine tool having an electric motor for driving a rotating insertion tool, the electric machine tool is operated in one of multiple operating modes, and at least one parameter of the machine tool is detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Aspects and advantages of the invention in accordance with the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology. In accordance with one embodiment, an auger includes a powerhead, a handle frame, and a drill bit, the drill bit extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The drill bit is selectively operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode. In some embodiments, the auger may include an extension shaft disposed between the powerhead and the drill bit, wherein the drill bit is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the extension shaft. In some embodiments, the auger may include a fluid reservoir and a fluid line. In some embodiments, the auger may include a gyroscope. In some embodiments, the auger may include a roller. In some embodiments, the auger may include a depth gauge. In some embodiments, an auger assembly includes an auger and a removable fixture. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode of making and using the present systems and methods, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an auger in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an auger in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an auger in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an auger in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an auger in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an auger in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; andFIG. 7 is a perspective view of an auger assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation, ra