Ice auger system

Abstract

An ice auger system for drilling a bore within ice with significantly reduced ice shavings. The ice auger system includes an elongate tube having a lower end, an upper end, an outer wall, a lumen and a connector shaft attached to the upper end for connecting to a motor. A length of flighting is attached to the outer surface of the elongate tube in a coiled manner. At least one bit is attached to the lower end of the elongate tube for engaging and cutting the ice in a circular pattern to receive the elongate tube and flighting. As the elongate tube is manipulated through the ice, a core is created that is positioned within the lumen of the elongate tube. When the user has drilled completely through the ice, the user then removes the elongate tube from the ice leaving the core within the newly created bore within the ice. The user then either may remove the core from the bore, or may push the core downwardly through the bore underneath the ice.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An ice auger system, comprising: 
 an elongate tube having a wall, a lower end, an upper end, a lumen and a connecting shaft, wherein said lower end is open exposing said lumen and wherein said upper end is at least partially enclosed;    a length of flighting attached to an exterior surface of said wall in a coiled manner; and    at least one cutting bit attached to said lower end of said elongate tube.    
     
     
         2 . The ice auger system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting bit is comprised of a structure having a width at least equal to a width of said wall and said flighting combined.  
     
     
         3 . The ice auger system of  claim 2 , wherein said flighting is comprised of a rod material.  
     
     
         4 . The ice auger system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one cutting bit is comprised of a first bit and a second bit.  
     
     
         5 . The ice auger system of  claim 4 , wherein said first bit is attached to said lower end of said elongate tube adjacent a lower distal end of said flighting.  
     
     
         6 . The ice auger system of  claim 5 , wherein said second bit is attached to said lower end of said elongate tube opposite of said first bit.  
     
     
         7 . The ice auger system of  claim 6 , wherein said lumen has a constant inner diameter.  
     
     
         8 . A method of operating an ice auger system, said ice auger system having an elongate tube having a lumen, a connecting shaft attached to an upper end of said elongate tube, a length of flighting attached to an outer surface of said elongate tube, and at least one cutting bit attached to a lower end of said elongate tube, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) positioning said lower end of said elongate tube adjacent a cutting location upon ice;    (b) rotating said elongate tube thereby manipulating said at least one cutting bit to cut a circular groove into said ice;    (c) terminating step (b) upon said elongate tube extending completely through said ice creating a free floating core within a bore of said ice; and    (d) removing said elongate tube from said ice.    
     
     
         9 . The method of operating said ice auger system of  claim 8 , further including the following step: 
 (e) removing said core from said bore within said ice.    
     
     
         10 . The method of operating said ice auger system of  claim 8 , further including the following steps: 
 (e) pushing said core downwardly into said bore within said ice; and    (f) manipulating said core to the side of said bore to be positioned underneath said ice and away from said bore.