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US 8,899,353 B2Granted
Post hole digger with integrated safety features
AssigneeBlount, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Banjo, Chad Vernon Franke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments provide safety features for a post hole digger, such as for attachment to a tractor or other utility device. The post hole digger has a boom and a yoke for pivotally connecting to the tractor or similar device, a driveline for transmitting rotational energy, and an auger for forming holes in a ground or floor surface. Rotating features of the post hole digger are isolated by various guard members, thereby enhancing the safety of the device.
Claims15
A drilling apparatus, comprising:
- a boom adapted to be pivotally connected to a frame of a tractor, the boom being pivotable relative to the frame about a substantially horizontal pivot axis;
- a yoke member hingedly connected to the boom and adapted to be connected to the frame;
- an auger rotatably mounted to the boom at or near the distal end of the boom;
- a driveline for transmitting rotational energy to an auger, said driveline comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the driveline being disposed proximal to the frame and the second end of the driveline being disposed distal to the frame;
- a gearbox for transferring rotational power from the driveline to the auger;
- and
- a guard member substantially enclosing a rotating member of the drilling apparatus, wherein the rotating member of the drilling apparatus includes at least a connection between the driveline and the gearbox or a connection between the auger and the gearbox.
4 more elements
A guard member configured for coupling to a rotational drilling apparatus, the guard member comprising:
- a body, comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, a cavity for receiving a rotating member of the drilling apparatus, and one or more holes to enable coupling of the guard member to the drilling apparatus, wherein the rotating member of the drilling apparatus includes at least a connection between a gearbox and either of a driveline or an auger of the drilling apparatus;
- a coupling element configured to couple the first portion and the second portion to each other;
- wherein the guard member is configured to be opened and closed, placing the guard member in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and is biased toward the closed position;
- and
- wherein the guard member, placed in the closed position, substantially encloses at least the rotating member of the drilling apparatus.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.