IP Library › Granted Patent US 12680388
Granted Patent B2
US 12680388 · App. 18/322,032 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Handheld augers operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode

Inventors: Nicholas Dobernig (Brookfield, WI); Vishvajeet M. Ghorpade (Milwaukee, WI); Beth E. Cholst (Wauwatosa, WI)
Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
E21B6/02E21B4/04E21B7/003E21B7/027E21B10/44E21B11/005E21B7/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680388
App. No.
18/322,032
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hand operated auger may include a powerhead, a handle frame, and a drill bit, the drill bit extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The drill bit may be selectively operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode. The auger may further include an extension shaft disposed between the powerhead and the drill bit, wherein the drill bit is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the extension shaft. The auger may further include a fluid reservoir and a fluid line. The auger may further include a gyroscope. The auger may further include a roller. The auger may further includes a depth gauge. An auger assembly may include an auger and a removable fixture.

Claims (37)

1 . An auger, comprising:

a powerhead;

a handle frame;

a drill bit, the drill bit extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, wherein the drill bit is selectively operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode;

an extension shaft disposed between the powerhead and the drill bit, wherein the drill bit is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the extension shaft and selectively fixable at a plurality of positions along the extension shaft; and

a sensor which can detect when the breaker mode is necessary, and wherein the drill bit is automatically operable in the breaker mode when the sensor detects that the breaker mode is necessary;

wherein the sensor detects when the breaker mode is necessary based on a decrease in drill bit rotational velocity; and

wherein the drill bit is translatable along the longitudinal axis in a reciprocating motion relative to the powerhead and the handle frame in the breaker mode.

2 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein torque applied to the drill bit by a motor of the powerhead is greater in the breaker mode than in the normal mode.

3 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the normal mode and breaker mode are user selectable.

4 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate shaft along which the drill bit is translatable in a reciprocating motion.

5 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface.

6 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising a gyroscope.

7 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising a roller.

8 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising a depth gauge.

9 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the extension shaft is insertable within the drill bit.

10 . The auger of claim 1 , further comprising at least one battery in communication with the powerhead for selectively operating the powerhead.

11 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the handle frame comprises at least one handle grip.

12 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the handle frame comprises a bottom frame and two side frames, wherein a handle grip is mounted to each of the two side frames, wherein the two side frames extend from the bottom frame such that the handle grips are positioned at a higher vertical position than the bottom frame, wherein the bottom frame includes a mounting plate, and wherein the powerhead is removably couplable to the mounting plate.

13 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the powerhead generates impact-style force in the breaker mode.

14 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the handle frame comprises:

a bottom frame;

a first side frame coupled to the bottom frame; and

a second side frame coupled to the bottom frame opposite the first side frame;

wherein the first side frame and the second side frame extend upwardly from the bottom frame to define a U-shape.

15 . The auger of claim 14 , further comprising a mounting plate coupled to the bottom frame, wherein the powerhead is removably couplable to the bottom frame through the mounting plate.

16 . The auger of claim 1 , wherein the drill bit is selectively fixable at a desired position along the longitudinal axis of the extension shaft based on a desired drilling depth.

17 . A hand-held auger, comprising:

a powerhead;

at least one battery in communication with the powerhead for selectively operating the powerhead;

a handle frame, wherein the handle frame comprises a bottom frame and two side frames, and wherein a handle grip is mounted to each of the two side frames;

a drill bit, the drill bit extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, wherein the drill bit is selectively operable in a normal mode and a breaker mode;

an extension shaft disposed between the powerhead and the drill bit, wherein the drill bit is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the extension shaft and selectively fixable at a plurality of positions along the extension shaft; and

a sensor which can detect when the breaker mode is necessary, and wherein the drill bit is automatically operable in the breaker mode when the sensor detects that the breaker mode is necessary;

wherein the sensor detects when the breaker mode is necessary based on a decrease in drill bit rotational velocity; and

wherein the drill bit is translatable along the longitudinal axis in a reciprocating motion relative to the powerhead and the handle frame in the breaker mode.

18 . The hand-held auger of claim 17 , wherein torque applied to the drill bit by a motor of the powerhead is greater in the breaker mode than in the normal mode.