Patent US3712121A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3712121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-recording portable soil penetrometer
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-07-09
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight,, portable penetrometer for testing soil characteristics, which penetrometer is composed of a handle, data recording, and probe components detachably joined together. The data recording component having an easily removed recording drum which rotates according to the downward force applied on said handle and a stylus means for marking said drum along its height according to the penetration depth of said probe into the soil.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sturm
- 👤 R Norton
- 👤 J Fletcher
- 👤 N Costes
- 👤 G Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A penetrometer for making a record of the force required to cause a probe to penetrate the soil, comprising: a handle component; a plunger shaft secured at its upper end to said handle component; a housing with an internal chamber; said plunger shaft having its lower portion extending into said housing chamber, and said plunger shaft and housing adapted to slide relative to each other along a main vertical axis; limiting means for providing upper and lower stops to the relative vertical movement of the housing and plunger shaft; spring means encircling the upper portion of said plunger shaft and extending between said housing and said handle component for causing them to be biased apart and for causing said plunger shaft to normally extend from said housing to its maximum extent; a carrier ring rotatably mounted to the upper portion of said housing and encircling said plunger shaft extending within said housing chamber; a recording cylinder within said housing chamber and fitted at its upper end to said carrier ring so said recording cylinder will rotate about its vertical axis when said carrier ring is caused to rotate; means or causing said recording cylinder and carrier ring to rotate proportional to the vertical downward movement of said plunger shaft within said housing chamber; a support member having a scribing point bearing against the outer cylindrical surface of said recording cylinder; activating means adapted to cause saId support member to move vertically upward or downward within said housing chamber; an elongated probe secured at its upper end to the lower part of said housing; said elongated probe having a pad assembly slidably mounted thereon, said pad assembly adapted to rest on the upper surface of the soil as said elongated probe penetrates the soil; and a cable connecting said pad assembly and said activating means to move said support member and its scribing point vertically upward or downward proportional to the vertically upward or downward movement of said pad assembly relative to said elongated probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
A penetrometer for making a record of the force required to cause a probe to penetrate the soil, comprising: a handle component; a plunger shaft secured at its upper end to said handle component; a housing with an internal chamber; said plunger shaft having its lower portion extending into said housing chamber, and said plunger shaft and housing adapted to slide relative to each other along a main vertical axis; limiting means for providing upper and lower stops to the relative vertical movement of the housing and plunger shaft; spring means encircling the upper portion of said plunger shaft and extending between said housing and said handle component for causing them to be biased apart and for causing said plunger shaft to normally extend from said housing to its maximum extent; a carrier ring rotatably mounted to the upper portion of said housing and encircling said plunger shaft extending within said housing chamber; a recording cylinder within said housing chamber and fitted at its upper end to said carrier ring so said recording cylinder will rotate about its vertical axis when said carrier ring is caused to rotate; means or causing said recording cylinder and carrier ring to rotate proportional to the vertical downward movement of said plunger shaft within said housing chamber; a support member having a scribing point bearing against the outer cylindrical surface of said recording cylinder; activating means adapted to cause saId support member to move vertically upward or downward within said housing chamber; an elongated probe secured at its upper end to the lower part of said housing; said elongated probe having a pad assembly slidably mounted thereon, said pad assembly adapted to rest on the upper surface of the soil as said elongated probe penetrates the soil; and a cable connecting said pad assembly and said activating means to move said support member and its scribing point vertically upward or downward proportional to the vertically upward or downward movement of said pad assembly relative to said elongated probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A penetrometer according to claim 1 wherein: said activating means includes a spool for winding the upper portion of said cable thereon or therefrom; a spring means for causing said spool to rotate and wind a portion of said cable thereon when cable tension is released by upward movement of said pad assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
A penetrometer according to claim 1 wherein said means for causing said recording cylinder and carrier ring to rotate includes: a ratchet means on said carrier ring and said housing to permit said carrier ring to rotate only in one direction; a cylindrical carrier member rotatably mounted to the upper portion of said housing and frictionally engaging the inner circumferential surface of said carrier ring; said carrier member having a slanted slot within its cylindrical side wall; said plunger shaft having at its lower end a pin extending into said slot whereby vertical downward movement of the plunger shaft will cause rotation of said carrier member and thereby the rotation of said carrier ring which carries said recording cylinder, and vertical upward movement of said plunger shaft will cause rotation of said carrier member in the opposite direction while said ratchet means prevents rotation of said carrier ring which carries said recording cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A penetrometer according to claim 1 wherein said elongated probe has a plurality of joints which enables the probe to be folded for easy storing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |