Pneumatic probe sampler

Claim 1

A pneumatic probe sampler having a first cylindrical tube of sufficient size to permit passage of granular material entrained in a stream of air, a second cylindrical tube larger and longer than said first tube, said first tube being inserted into said second tube until one end of each tube terminates in a common plane to provide a connector end, a portion at the other end of said second tube thus extending beyond said first tube at a tip end, a plurality of vanes intermediate said first and second tubes, said vanes originating at the tip end of said first tube and extending in the direction of said connector end, a plurality of spacers proximate said connector end and intermediate said first and said second tubes, said vanes and said spacers adapted to concentrically align said tubes and provide passageway for linear airflow between said tubes, said vanes being adapted by curvature at said tip end to change said linear airflow to rotational airflow within said portion of said second tube extending beyond said first tube, said portion of said second tube being sufficient in length to establish a vortex by said rotational airflow within said portion, means for providing said linear airflow in said passageway between said tubes and means for collecting said granular material entrained in said stream of air, and a substantially airtight connector for each of said first and second tubes which comprises: a. a tubular coupling adapted to overlap the connector end of said first tube and the end of a tube having a diameter similar to said first tube; and b. a positive-locking, readily releasable connector for said second tube comprising a female coupling having a secured end and a terminal end rigidly secured to said second tube, a plurality of stop bars adapted to have a secured end and a free end aligned with the long axis of said coupling and secured adjacent said terminal end of said coupling so that the free end of said stop bar projects beyond the plane of the secured end of said coupling, a swivel adapted to rotate through a limited arc on said second tube adjacent said coupling and adapted in a first position to receive said free end of the stop bar in a rest position whereby said stop bar is in minimum proximity along its length to said coupling and in a second position to force said free end away from said rest position, a retaining ring secured to said second tube adjacent said swivel, at least one pin projecting from said ring intermediate said ring and said swivel and at least one pin projecting from said swivel intermediate said swivel and said ring, a spring adapted to engage in said pins and apply force to retain sAid swivel in said first position, a centrally projecting stop pin secured to each stop bar intermediate said secured end and the plane of the end of said second tube, a hole in said coupling adapted to receive said stop pin, a male end of a second tube, holes in said male end adapted to receive said stop pin when said stop bar is in rest position, the length of said stop pin being adapted to disengage from said hole in said male end when said stop bar is forced away from said rest position, and a spring adapted to urge said stop bars towards said rest position.