CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to provisional application Serial No. 62/563,911 filed September 27, 2017 and entitled AUTO ICE HOLE, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Hand held augers have a variety of uses including drilling ice fishing holes. Such augers are typically heavy and difficult to transport. The present application relates to an auger rig for use for a hand held auger.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present application relates to a portable auger rig and in particular a rig for an ice auger. In an illustrated embodiment the rig includes a support structure including upright supports and an auger carriage movable along guide rails on the upright supports between a raised position and a lowered position through a drive mechanism. The carriage includes a plurality of support arms for an auger to raise and lower the auger for drilling holes. A hitch attachment is coupled to the support structure to transport the rig to an ice fishing hole, for example. A guard rim is coupled to the support structure to provide a protective barrier for the auger blade.

[0004] The present application relates to a portable auger rig including an auger carriage coupled to a support structure and movable between a raised position and a lowered position through a drive mechanism. The auger carriage includes a plurality of support arms for an auger. A hitch attachment and plurality of wheels are coupled to the support structure. The present application relates to an auger rig including a throttle control feature configured to maintain the auger in an idle mode in a raised position and to engage and rotate the blade of the auger as the auger carriage is lowered to drill a hole.

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a portable auger rig of the present application.

[0007] FIG. IB is a bottom view of a support structure and base frame of the auger rig illustrated in FIG. 1 A.

[0008] FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the portable auger rig illustrated in FIG. 1 A.

[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of an auger carriage for a portable auger rig of the present application.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 2B - - 2B of FIG. 2A.

[0011] FIG. 2C is a detailed view of the profile of the support arms.

[0012] FIG. 2D illustrates interface of rollers on the carriage of FIG. 2A along guide rails of the upright supports.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a perspective illustration of an alternate embodiment of a portable auger rig of the present application.

[0014] FIG. 3B is a side illustration of the embodiment of the portable auger rig as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0015] FIG. 3C is a detailed illustration of portion 3C of FIG. 3A.

[0016] FIG. 3D is a detailed illustration generally of portion 3D of FIG. 3 A.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4B schematically illustrate a throttle control device or structure for controlling a throttle lever on a portable auger for drilling.

[0018] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another embodiment of a throttle control device or structure for controlling the throttle lever of a portable auger for drilling.

[0019] FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a wheeled auger rig of the present application.

[0020] FIG. 6B is an exploded view of a dolly for an embodiment of the wheeled auger rig of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The present application relates to a rig for a portable auger of the type having a rotating auger blade and handles for transport and use. The auger can be a gas or electric powered auger. In illustrated embodiments, the auger is an ice auger for drilling ice fishing holes. In an illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1B the rig 100 includes a support structure 102 and auger carriage 104 to raise and lower the auger to drill ice fishing holes. The support structure 102 as shown includes a plurality of upright supports 110A, HOB coupled to a base frame 112. The auger is supported via spaced support arms 114A, 114B coupled to the auger carriage 104 movable between a raised position and a lowered position via drive mechanism 120. In particular, the carriage 104 is movable along guide rails 122 coupled to the upright supports 110A, HOB to raise and lower the auger (not shown).

[0022] Operation of the drive mechanism 120 to raise and lower the auger carriage 104 is controlled through circuitry via user inputs as schematically shown in block 124. User input is provided through a control panel or one or more control buttons or input devices coupled to the support structure 102 or input from a remote device transmitted via known communication protocols to the control circuitry. The rig 100 is connected to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or other wheeled structure through a hitch attachment 130 having a hitch adapter 132 coupled to a hitch frame 134 connected to the support structure 102.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, the hitch frame 134 is connected to the upright supports 110A, HOB of the support structure to connect the hitch attachment 130. The upright supports 110A HOB includes a plurality of sets of vertically spaced fastener openings or features 136 sized to connect to fastener openings or features on the hitch frame 134 (only shown for upright support 110A in FIG. 1 A). The fastener openings or features 136 on the hitch frame 134 can be attached to any one of the sets of openings 136 depending upon the desired elevation of the hitch adapter 132. In the embodiment shown, the hitch frame 134 includes three (3) fastener openings spaced to align with any one of the plurality of sets of three vertically spaced fastener openings 136 on the upright supports 11 OA, HOB.

[0024] In the embodiment shown, the rig 100 includes an outer guard rim 140 to protect the blade of the auger (not shown). As shown, the guard rim 140 is generally semi-circular shaped to provide space and clearance for the auger blade. In an illustrated embodiment, the guard rim 140 is formed of a metal structure to provide a protective boundary for the rotating auger blade and is connected to the upright supports 11 OA, HOB of the support structure. As shown in FIG. IB, the base frame 112 is generally "U" shaped and includes a middle section 150 and opposed side sections 152 angled relative to the middle section 150. The upright supports 110A, HOB are coupled to the opposed side sections 152 so that upright supports 110A, HOB are spaced a distance apart for movement of the auger carriage therebetween. The support structure is reinforced via ribs 154.

[0025] In the embodiment shown, the rig 100 includes upper and lower limit controls 160U, 160L to limit the stroke of the auger carriage 104. The limit controls 160U, 160L can be electrical sensors or mechanical devices which interface with control circuitry for the drive mechanism to limit operation of the drive mechanism beyond the control limit. As described in illustrative embodiments, the rig 110 includes a throttle control feature or structure 166 (as schematically shown in FIG. 1A) to interface with a throttle lever on an auger to idle the auger in the raised position and engage the throttle to rotate the auger blade as the carriage 104 lowers the auger for drilling.

[0026] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an embodiment of the auger carriage 104 and support arms 114A, 114B. The carriage 104 is formed of a box structure 170 having a cross-beam 172 connected between opposed sides of the box structure 170. Arms 114A, 114B are coupled to and supported by the cross beam 172. The drive mechanism 120 is coupled to the carriage 104 through the crossbeam 172 as shown to move the auger carriage 104 for drilling. The support arms 114 are slidably coupled to the cross-beam 172 to adjust the spacing between the support arms 1 14A, 114B to accommodate different sized augers.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2B, the support arms 114A, 114B include a bracket 176 having a plurality of elongate fastener slots 180 which interface with fastener holes 182 on the cross-beam 172 to adjustably connect the support arms 114A, 114B to the auger carriage 104 through fasteners or bolts. The elongate slots 180 allow for placement adjustment of the arms 114A, 114B relative to the cross-beam 172 to adjust the spacing between arms 114A, 114B. When connected, the arms 114A, 114B extend outwardly from the brackets 176 to support an auger for use. In an illustrated embodiment, arms 114A, 144B have a generally "V" shaped profile as shown in detail in FIG. 2C to hold and support auger handles (not shown). While in the illustrated embodiment described, the brackets 176 include slots 180 to adjust the width dimension, application is not limited to the embodiment described as the cross-beam 172 can include slots to adjust the spacing or width dimension between arms 114 A, 114B.

[0028] As previously described, the auger carriage 104 moves along a guide rails 122 along the upright supports 110A, HOB. In particular, the box structure 170 includes a plurality of rollers 190 along opposed sides of the box structure 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage 104 includes four rollers 190. As shown in more detail in FIG. 2D, the rollers 190 move along guide rails 122 along the upright supports 110A, HOB. Illustratively, the rollers 190 are formed of a nylon roller material with bearings and the guide rail 122 is formed of a metal track.

[0029] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate another embodiment for the rig 100 of the present application where like numbers refer to like parts. In the embodiment shown, the drive mechanism 120 includes a drive chain 200 and sprocket wheels to raise and lower the auger carriage 104. The chain 200 is coupled to a passive sprocket wheel 204A and a powered sprocket wheel 204B which is rotated via drive motor 206. In illustrative embodiments, the motor 206 is an electric powered motor, such as a 12V battery powered electric motor. Alternatively, the motor can be powered through electrical circuitry of a vehicle or ATV via an electrical cable or harness. Rotation of the drive motor 206 rotates the sprocket wheel 204B to raise and lower the auger carriage 104 through chain 200 which in the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the carriage through cross-beam 172 shown in FIG. 2B. The motor 206 is operated to raise and lower the auger carriage 104 through user inputs or controls as previously described.

[0030] As shown in FIG 3C, the motor and powered sprocket wheel 204B are coupled to a cross beam 210 of the support structure between the upright supports 110A, HOB. As shown in FIG. 3D, the passive sprocket wheel 204A is coupled to the base frame 112 through stand 212 coupled to the base frame 112 through platform 214. For operation of the auger, the rig includes an auger throttle control device or structure 166 which is configured to interface with a throttle lever on the auger to retain the throttle lever in an idle position prior to use while the auger carriage is in the raised position. For use, the auger throttle control device or structure 166 engage the throttle lever to rotate the auger blade for use.

[0031] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an embodiment of an auger throttle control device or structure of the present application. As shown, the throttle control structure includes a clamp mechanism 230 coupled to the carriage or arms 114A. The clamp mechanism 230 includes a rotating clamp 232 normally biased to engage the throttle lever to rotate the auger blade. When the auger carriage 104 is in a raised position, clamp 232 is rotated against a spring bias via contact feature 234 to position the throttle lever 235 on auger handle (schematically shown) in an idle position. As the carriage 104 moves downwardly and the clamp 232 moves below the contact feature 234, the clamp 232 rotates to the spring biased position to move the throttle lever from the idle position to engage and rotate the blade for use. [0032] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another embodiment of an auger throttle control device or structure for maintaining the throttle lever on the auger in the idle position while the auger carriage 104 is raised prior to use and engaging the throttle lever to rotate the blade as the auger carriage 104 is lowered for drilling. In particular, as shown, the control device or structure is an upright post 240 having an upper ramped surface 242 positioned to engage the throttle control lever in the raised position to move the lever to the idle position. As the carriage 104 is lowered below the ramped surface 242 the throttle control lever is moved to engage the blade for drilling. While the illustrated embodiments disclose different auger throttle control devices or features, application is not limited to the embodiments and configurations shown and different configurations can be implemented as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0033] In illustrated embodiments the rig includes a plurality of wheels 250 coupled to the support structure 102 for transport. In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the rig utilizes a wheeled dolly 252 having a plurality of wheels 250 coupled to a dolly frame 254. As shown, the dolly frame 254 is a generally rectangular shaped enclosure which forms an opened area to accommodate the auger blade (not shown) supported by the auger carriage 104. As shown, the dolly 252 includes a support post 260 having a support plate 262 to support the load of the auger to reduce load on the support structure 102. The support post 260 is connected to the dolly frame 254 through cross beam 264. In an illustrated embodiment, the support post 260 includes a tubular shaped body which is connected to cross-beam 264 via pin 266 sized for insertion into a channel of the tubular shaped support post 260 body. It should be understood, application is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6B and other designs or arrangements can be employed.

[0034] In an example embodiment, the upright supports 11 OA, 11B are formed of a metal material and are spaced 28 inches apart and the motor 206 is a DC motor with gear reduction and the drive chain 200 is a #40 chain, although application is not limited to a particular configuration or design.

[0035] While illustrated embodiments have been described, application is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Furthermore it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.