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US3763593A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for bringing earthworms to the surface of the ground

Assignee: LECTRASEARCH CORP
•
Filing: 1972-05-08
•
Granted: 1973-10-09
•
Expires: 1992-05-08
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for bringing earthworms to the surface of the ground comprising a metallic probe having one end thereof adapted to be inserted in the ground and having an insulated handle slidably mounted at the other end of the probe. An electrical contact means is mounted within the handle and spaced from the end of the probe within the handle. A spring means is mounted in the handle for urging the probe in a direction away from the electrical contact means. A resistor and a neon light are connected in series between the electrical contact means and the other end of the probe within the handle. An opening is provided in the handle to permit visual inspection of the neon light so that it can be determined readily when the neon light is actuated. The electrical contact means connects externally with an electrical plug, through one only of the prings thereof, the other prong being unconnected to anything. Thus, when the probe is inserted in the ground and the prong of the plug is connected to the ungrounded terminal, the neon light will glow. Otherwise, the plug is reversed in the socket. After the neon light glows, the handle is pushed downwardly against the action of the spring and full current will flow through the probe to bring earthworms to the surface of the ground.

Inventors

  • 👤 T Guthrie

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 09:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M29/00; A01M29/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 214 words
Apparatus for bringing earthworms to the surface of the ground comprising a metallic probe having a pair of opposite ends, one end of said probe being insertable into the ground, an insulated handle means slidably mounted at the other end of said probe, electrical contact means mounted within said handle and spaced from said other end of said probe, resilient means mounted in said handle for urging said other end of said probe in a direction away from said electrical contact means, electrical indicating means connected between said electrical contact means and said other end of said probe, electrical plug means having a pair of prongs thereon for insertion in a standard electrical socket, said standard electrical socket having a grounded terminal and an ungrounded terminal, means connecting said electrical contact means to one of said prongs, whereby, when the probe is inserted in the ground and the connected prong is in contact with the ungrounded terminal of the socket, the electrical indicating means will be actuated, and whereby when the handle is pushed against the action of the resilient means, the electrical contact means will come into contact with said other end of said probe to short-circuit the electrical indicating means to permit the passage of current into the ground through said probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 214 words
Apparatus for bringing earthworms to the surface of the ground comprising a metallic probe having a pair of opposite ends, one end of said probe being insertable into the ground, an insulated handle means slidably mounted at the other end of said probe, electrical contact means mounted within said handle and spaced from said other end of said probe, resilient means mounted in said handle for urging said other end of said probe in a direction away from said electrical contact means, electrical indicating means connected between said electrical contact means and said other end of said probe, electrical plug means having a pair of prongs thereon for insertion in a standard electrical socket, said standard electrical socket having a grounded terminal and an ungrounded terminal, means connecting said electrical contact means to one of said prongs, whereby, when the probe is inserted in the ground and the connected prong is in contact with the ungrounded terminal of the socket, the electrical indicating means will be actuated, and whereby when the handle is pushed against the action of the resilient means, the electrical contact means will come into contact with said other end of said probe to short-circuit the electrical indicating means to permit the passage of current into the ground through said probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 81 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical indicating means includes a resistor and a neon light connected in series between said electrical contact means and said other end of said probe and wherein said handle is provided with an opening to permit observation of said neon light when actuated, whereby, when the probe is inserted in the ground and the connected prong is in contact with the ungrounded terminal of the socket, the neon light will glow.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1932237A Cited
US2234954A Cited
US2334271A Cited
US2607164A Cited
US2610237A Cited
US2770075A Cited
US3331018A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-10-08 1977-04-09 1977-10-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-10-08 1981-04-09 1981-10-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-10-08 1985-04-09 1985-10-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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