Pilot bit
AssigneePengo Corporation
InventorBrian Rickards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pilot bit is provided with an elongated body member and three blades that extend radially from and spirally along the body member. As compared to conventional two bladed pilot bits, the outer edge and leading tip of the third blade removes additional spoil which increases penetration rates. The pilot bit also includes an adapter which is inserted in an auger shaft and releasably secured thereto with a fastener, such as a bolt. The adapter includes a surface that cooperates with a key that is secured to the auger shaft to take the torque load off the bolt. In this manner, deformation of the auger shaft bolt holes and bolt fatigue is minimized.
Claims29
A pilot bit comprising:
- an elongated body member having a first and second end portions, said first end portion adapted for coupling to an end of an auger shaft;
- a number of blades extending radially from and being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member second end portion, said number being three, each blade further extending spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member;
- and
- said elongated body member including an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions, the outer diameter of said intermediate portion being less than the outer diameter of said end the auger shaft.
An auger assembly comprising:
- auger shaft having first and second end portions;
- flighting extending radially from said auger shaft, said flighting further extending spirally along said shaft and terminating in the vicinity of said second end portion;
- an elongated body member having first and second end portions, said elongated body member first end portion being releasably coupled to said second end portion of said auger shaft;
- a number of blades extending radially from and being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member second end portion, said number being three, each blade further extending spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member;
- and
- said elongated body member including an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions of the elongated body member, the outer diameter of said intermediate portion being less than the outer diameter of said second end portion of the auger shaft.
An auger assembly comprising a pilot bit in combination with an auger including an auger shaft having a first end portion and a second hollow end portion, flighting extending radially from and spirally along said auger shaft, a boring head coupled to said second end portion of the auger shaft and having multiple teeth, and a key having a substantially flat surface and being fixedly positioned in the interior of said second end portion of the auger shaft, said pilot bit comprising:
- an elongated body member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween, said first end portion being positioned in said hollow second end portion of the auger shaft and comprising a base having an outer circumferential wall surface of which at least a portion is substantially flat, said substantially flat base surface abutting said substantially flat key surface to prevent relative rotation between said base and auger shaft;
- a fastener extending through said auger shaft and base for releasably securing the elongated body member to the auger shaft;
- a number of blades extending radially from and spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member, said blades being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member, and said number of blades being three;
- and
- said elongated body member including an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions of the elongated member, the outer diameter of said intermediate portion being less than the outer diameter of said second end portion of the auger shaft.
A pilot bit, for use with an auger to guide the auger as the auger bores a hole in the earth and directs the spoil through the hole, comprising:
- an elongated body member having a first and second end portions, said first end portion adapted for coupling to the auger;
- three blades extending radially from and being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member second end portion, each blade further extending spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member;
- and
- means for directing the spoil created by the three blades towards the auger for movement through the hole created thereby.
An auger assembly comprising:
- an auger comprising:
- an auger shaft having first and second end portions;
- and
- flighting extending radially from said auger shaft, said flighting further extending spirally along said shaft and terminating in the vicinity of said second end portion;
- and
- a pilot bit, mounted to the auger, comprising:
- an elongated body member having first and second end portions, said elongated body member first end portion being releasably coupled to said second end portion of said auger shaft;
- three blades extending radially from and being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member second end portion, each blade further extending spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member;
- and
- means for directing spoil created by the three blades to the flighting of the auger for movement through a hole created by the auger.
The auger assembly of claim 23 wherein the rotational axis of said auger shaft and the rotational axis of said elongated member are essentially collinear.
An auger assembly comprising a pilot bit in combination with an auger including an auger shaft having a first end portion and a second hollow end portion, flighting extending radially from and spirally along said auger shaft, a boring head coupled to said second end portion of the auger shaft and having multiple teeth, and a key having a substantially flat surface and being fixedly positioned in the interior of said second end portion of the auger shaft, said pilot bit comprising:
- an elongated body member having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween, said first end portion being positioned in said hollow second end portion of the auger shaft and comprising a base having an outer circumferential wall surface of which at least a portion is substantially flat, said substantially flat base surface abutting said substantially flat key surface to prevent relative rotation between said base and auger shaft;
- a fastener extending through said auger shaft and base for releasably securing the elongated body member to the auger shaft;
- three blades extending radially from and spirally along said second end portion of the elongated body member, said blades being substantially equidistantly spaced about said elongated body member;
- and
- means for directing spoil created by the three blades to the flighting of the auger for movement through a hole created by the auger assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.