US4516438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Standardized sampling hay probe
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-09-20
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Granted: 1985-05-14
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Expires: 2003-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A hay probe for taking samples from bales of hay includes a pair of heavy duty handles, a central mounting assembly, and an elongated probe, in the order of about a foot in length, and having an inner diameter in the order of about 3/8ths of an inch. Attached to the mounting assembly opposite to the probe tube is an impermeable sampling container such as a Mason jar. An elongated tamping rod is provided for pushing the contents of the probe tube into the container. Standardized samples may be obtained using, for example, 15 samples, which will substantially fill a normal one pint Mason jar.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan M. Hodge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/04; G01N1/08; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, having an inner diameter in the order of one-quarter to five-eighths inch, and a length in the order of eight to sixteen inches, said tube being sharpened at one end; central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; a pair of handles mounted to said central mounting assembly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; and tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; whereby the samples of a standard volume may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, having an inner diameter in the order of one-quarter to five-eighths inch, and a length in the order of eight to sixteen inches, said tube being sharpened at one end; central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; a pair of handles mounted to said central mounting assembly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; and tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; whereby the samples of a standard volume may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said impermeable container means is a pint jar of the Mason jar type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein handle means are provided for said tamper including an extension adjacent the rod for preventing contact between the users fingers and the sharpened end of said probe tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe tube has its outer end sharpened in a taper extending from the outer diameter of said tube outward to the inner diameter of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said impermeable container has a threaded open end, and wherein mating threaded holding means are secured to said mounting assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe tube has an inner diameter of approximately 1/2 inch, and said probe tube is about one foot long.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A hay probe as defined in claim 1 wherein the diameter of the hay probe tube at the cutting edge is slightly less than the diameter of the remainder of the hay probe tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hay probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said hay probe tube is formed of stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, said tube being sharpened at one end; a central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; handle means mounted to said central mounting assembly and extending outwardly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; and tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; whereby the samples of a standard volume may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, said tube being sharpened at one end; a central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; handle means mounted to said central mounting assembly and extending outwardly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; and tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; whereby the samples of a standard volume may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein handle means are provided for said tamper including an extension adjacent the rod for preventing contact between the users fingers and the sharpened end of said probe tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said probe tube has its outer end sharpened in a taper extending from the outer diameter of said tube outward to the inner diameter of the tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said impermeable container has a threaded open end, and wherein mating threaded holding means are secured to said mounting assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said probe tube has an inner diameter of approximately 3/8 inch, and said probe tube is about one foot long.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A hay probe as defined in claim 9 wherein the diameter of the hay probe tube at the cutting edge is slightly less than the diameter of the remainder of the hay probe tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hay probe as defined in claim 9 wherein said hay probe tube is formed of stainless steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
168 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, said tube being sharpened at one end; a central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; handle means mounted to said central mounting assembly and extending outwardly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; and handle means for said tamper including an extension adjacent the rod for preventing contact between the users fingers and the sharpened end of said probe tube; whereby the samples of a standard volume of hay may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
168 words
A hay probe apparatus for obtaining standardized samples of hay for analysis of the actual contents of bales of hay or similar material, comprising: an elongated hollow metal probe tube, said tube being sharpened at one end; a central mounting assembly secured to the other end of said probe tube; handle means mounted to said central mounting assembly and extending outwardly transverse to said probe; impermeable container means removably secured to said mounting assembly for receiving hay samples from said probe tube and for maintaining them in substantially the same condition as when the samples were taken from bales of hay; tamper rod means for transferring hay samples from said probe tube to said impermeable container; and handle means for said tamper including an extension adjacent the rod for preventing contact between the users fingers and the sharpened end of said probe tube; whereby the samples of a standard volume of hay may be analyzed without significant changes in moisture content or the like between sampling and testing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said hay probe tube is of constant inner diameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hay probe apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said hay probe tube is of constant inner diameter.
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) | 1988-05-13 | 1988-11-12 | 1989-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-13 | 1992-11-12 | 1993-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-13 | 1996-11-12 | 1997-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |