Apparatus for obtaining a soil core sample

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to soil sampling apparatus for obtaining a core sample of a predetermined depth of soil by driving the apparatus into the soil to be sampled. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tubular soil sampling apparatus having two interengaging portions to provide an elongated core of soil, wherein the individual portions are remote from the operator and are sequentially driven into the soil to be sampled, and wherein the interengaging portions are automatically properly oriented relative to each other prior to interengagement.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a side view, in perspective, showing the several elements of one form of soil sampling apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the lowermost portion of the soil sampling apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, showing a sample gate for retaining the soil sample within the apparatus during removal of the apparatus from the soil into which it has been driven.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first core tube member, looking upwardly and inwardly to show the inner structure of the first core tube member and the arrangement for connection with the guide rod that forms part of the soil apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

#Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there are shown the several parts of a soil sampling apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in which the several parts of the apparatus are shown in their relative operative positions immediately before the apparatus is driven into soil to be sampled. A core sample tube 10 of rectangular cross section is defined by a first core tube member 12, and a second core tube member 14. The respective core tube members 12 and 14 are shown displaced from each other in FIG. 1, but are shown in engaged, assembled condition in FIG. 6.

#First core tube member 12 includes first and second longitudinally extending rectangular panel members 16 and 18, respectively, which are preferably positioned at right angles to each other and are joined along a longitudinally extending edge or corner 20. First panel member 16 includes a flange 22 that extends perpendicularly from and along the free longitudinal edge of panel member 16 and is substantially parallel with second panel member 18. Similarly, second panel member 18 includes a flange 24 that extends perpendicularly from and along the free longitudinal edge of panel member 18 and is substantially parallel with first panel member 16. Additionally, first core tube member 12 is so configured that the lowermost edges 26, 28 of panel members 16 and 18, respectively, are inclined to define a pointed lower end 30 to facilitate driving first core tube member 12 into the soil to be sampled.

#Second core tube member 14 is configured similarly to first core tube member 12 in that it includes first and second panel members 32 and 34 that are positioned at right angles to each other and that are joined along a longitudinally extending edge or corner 36. Unlike first core tube member 12, however, second core tube member 14 does not include any longitudinal flanges. Additionally, second core tube member 14 is so sized as to be longitudinally slidably received within first core tube member 12 so that the outer longitudinal edges of each of panels 32 and 34 are adjacent to and preferably in contact with the inwardly facing surfaces of flanges 22 and 24, respectively, of first core tube member 12. As was the case for first core tube member 12, second core tube member 14 is also so configured as to provide a pointed lower end 40 by inclining the lowermost edges 42 and 44 of side panels 32 and 34, respectively. With respect to each of first core tube member 12 and second core tube member 14, the two-sided angular structure provides core tube members having greater strength and greater torsional rigidity, as compared with core tube members that are merely curved in transverse cross section.