Sprinkler repair auger

Abstract

A Sprinkler Repair Auger is disclosed. The auger is particularly helpful because it is configured to cut a hole into the ground surrounding a conventional pop-up sprinkler head so that the sprinkler head can be easily accessed for repairs and/or replacement. The auger should is to a conventional power tool, such as an electric drill or related equipage. The auger has a hollow-tipped bit configured surround the sprinkler head. The auger further includes a stabilizing assembly associated with the auger to provide stability and safety while holes are being formed. The stabilizing assembly further has retractable legs upon which the user can stand to further stabilize the device while making holes. Finally, the assembly includes a guide for guiding the auger bit as it cuts, as well as a lower sleeve to protectively surround the auger bit and hole while cutting.

1 . An auger assembly, comprising:
 a rotating auger bit assembly, comprising:
 an auger bit having a cylindrical tube defined by a hollow inner bore and a cutting blade extending outwardly from said cylindrical tube; and 
 a guide shaft extending from a top closed end of said auger bit cylindrical tube; and 
   a non-rotating stabilizing assembly, comprising:
 an upper stabilizing sleeve configured to accept said guide shaft therein; and 
 at least one stabilizing leg extending outwardly from said stabilizing assembly. 
   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said guide shaft comprises an elongate hollow tube having a closed top end and a closed lower end;   said auger bit further comprises an auger drive shaft attachable to said lower end of said guide shaft; and   said assembly further comprising an upper drive shaft extending upwardly from said closed top end of said guide shaft.   
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said stabilizing assembly comprises a lower stabilizing sleeve from which each said stabilizing leg extends, said upper stabilizing sleeve in spaced relation to said lower stabilizing sleeve and attached thereto by one or more strut members. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said elongate hollow tube of said guide shaft defines a first outer diameter and said upper stabilizing sleeve defines an inner bore diameter that is greater than said first outer diameter. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said lower stabilizing sleeve defines a second inner bore diameter and said auger bit blade defines a blade outer diameter, said blade outer diameter being less than said second inner bore diameter. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said lower stabilizing sleeve defines a generally circular tube and said upper stabilizing sleeve defines a generally circular tube and said assembly comprises three said strut members in spaced relation and interconnecting said lower sleeve and said upper sleeve. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein one said strut member further comprises a grasping handle extending therefrom. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , comprising a pair of said stabilizing legs on opposing sides of said lower stabilizing sleeve, said stabilizing legs pivotally attached to said lower stabilizing sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . A device for boring holes in earth, comprising:
 a stabilizing assembly, comprising:
 a lower sleeve having an inner bore; 
 an upper sleeve attached in spaced relation to said lower sleeve, said upper sleeve having an inner bore, said upper sleeve inner bore defining a diameter that is less than said lower sleeve inner bore; and 
 at least one stabilizing member extendable from said lower sleeve; and 
   an auger bit assembly, comprising:
 a guide shaft slidingly inserted through said upper and lower sleeve, said guide shaft having an elongate tubular shape and an upper and lower end; and 
 an auger bit extending from said lower end of said guide shaft, said auger bit defining an outer diameter that is greater than said guide shaft outer diameter and said upper sleeve inner bore diameter, yet smaller than said lower sleeve inner bore diameter. 
   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , comprising a pair of said stabilizing members on opposing sides of said lower sleeve, said stabilizing members pivotally attached to said lower sleeve. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said lower sleeve defines a generally circular tube and said upper sleeve defines a generally circular tube and said assembly comprises three strut members in spaced relation and interconnecting said lower sleeve and said upper sleeve. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein one said strut member further comprises a grasping handle extending therefrom. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said guide shaft comprises an elongate hollow tube having a closed top end and a closed lower end;   said auger bit further comprises an auger drive shaft attachable to said lower end of said guide shaft; and   said assembly further comprising an upper drive shaft extending upwardly from said closed top end of said guide shaft.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said elongate hollow tube of said guide shaft defines a first outer diameter and said upper sleeve defines an inner bore diameter that is greater than said first outer diameter. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said lower sleeve defines a second inner bore diameter and said auger bit blade defines a blade outer diameter, said blade outer diameter being less than said second inner bore diameter. 
   
   
       16 . A method for digging holes, comprising the steps of:
 attaching an auger assembly to the chuck of a rotational power tool, said auger assembly comprising:
 an auger bit having a cylindrical tube defined by a hollow inner bore and a cutting blade extending outwardly from said cylindrical tube; and 
 a guide shaft extending from a top closed end of said cylindrical tube; and 
 a non-rotating stabilizing assembly, comprising: 
 a stabilizing sleeve configured to accept said guide shaft therein; and 
 at least one stabilizing leg extending outwardly from said stabilizing assembly; 
   resting said stabilizing assembly on the ground; and   rotating said chuck with said power tool while exerting downward force on each said stabilizing leg.