Fluted wing auger

Abstract

An auger has a substantially conical core, which has an axis and a side centered thereabout. From a substantially flat, substantially circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core, the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and on the axis at a leading end of the core. The auger includes a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar and includes at least two wings fixed to the core. The base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is substantially circular. The wings extend radially from the base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An auger comprising:
 a substantially conical core having an axis and a side centered about the axis, wherein from a substantially flat, substantially circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core, the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and centered on the axis at a leading end of the core;   a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar;   at least two wings fixed to the core, wherein the base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is circular and the wings extend radially from the circular base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.   
     
     
         2 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein each wing traverses one-quarter turn helically around the core axis. 
     
     
         3 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two wings each project out radially from the core at substantially equal radial wing widths extending along at least a portion of the tapered side of the core. 
     
     
         4 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two wings are tapered in radial width proximal to the leading end of the core, such that each wing forms a leading-end point for earth penetration distal to the core base. 
     
     
         5 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two wings extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core. 
     
     
         6 . The auger of  claim 5 , wherein the at least two wings begin tapering in radial width where they extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core. 
     
     
         7 . The auger of  claim 4 , wherein the leading end of the core and the points of the at least two wings define a chevron shape. 
     
     
         8 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein the smaller diameter is a vertex. 
     
     
         9 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein walls of the respective at least two wings have engaging sides facing in a direction for rotation of the auger when digging, wherein the engaging sides are cupped to provide flutes for directing matter cut away by the rotation to transfer cuttings upward during the rotation. 
     
     
         10 . The auger of  claim 1 , wherein the circular base has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a collar to which the auger connects for attaching the auger to a drill stem. 
     
     
         11 . An auger comprising:
 a substantially conical core having an axis and a side centered about the axis, wherein from a substantially flat, circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and centered on the axis at a leading end of the core;   a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar;   at least two wings fixed to the core, wherein the base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is circular and the wings extend radially from the circular base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.   
     
     
         12 . The auger of  claim 11 , wherein each wing traverses one-quarter turn helically around the core axis. 
     
     
         13 . The auger of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two wings each project out radially from the core at substantially equal radial wing widths extending along at least a portion of the tapered side of the core. 
     
     
         14 . The auger of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two wings are tapered in radial width proximal to the leading end of the core, such that each wing forms a leading-end point for earth penetration distal to the core base. 
     
     
         15 . The auger of  claim 14 , wherein the at least two wings extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core. 
     
     
         16 . The auger of  claim 15 , wherein the at least two wings begin tapering in radial width where they extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core. 
     
     
         17 . The auger of  claim 16 , wherein the leading end of the core and the points of the at least two wings define a chevron shape. 
     
     
         18 . The auger of  claim 17 , wherein walls of the respective at least two wings have engaging sides facing in a direction for rotation of the auger when digging, wherein the engaging sides are cupped to provide flutes for directing matter cut away by the rotation to transfer cuttings upward during the rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The auger of  claim 18 , wherein the smaller diameter is a vertex. 
     
     
         20 . The auger of  claim 19 , wherein the circular base has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a collar to which the auger connects for attaching the auger to a drill stem.