US 12,442,724 B2
Soil sampler
Mark T. Weinberger, Mounds View, MN (US); David B. Kaminski, Clayton, CA (US); Daniel O. Hayes, Howell, MI (US); and Hunter C. Anstadt, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc., Dexter, MI (US)
Filed by Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc., Dexter, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/953,782.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/251,561, filed on Oct. 1, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0107158 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/08 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A soil sampler comprising:
a base having a base body, a barrel extending along a collection axis from the base body to a distal end of the base, and a cavity extending into the base body through a proximal end of the base; and
a plunger insertable into the base to define a volume of a collection cavity formed within the barrel;
wherein the plunger is mountable to the base in a first position corresponding to a first volume of the collection cavity, a second position corresponding to a second volume of the collection cavity larger than the first volume, and a third position corresponding to ejection of a soil sample from the collection cavity;
wherein the base interfaces with the plunger to limit a distance that an extension of the plunger extends into the barrel to set the volume of the collection cavity with the plunger in each of the first position, the second position, and the third position;
wherein the plunger is configured to rotate relative to the base between the first position, the second position, and the third position; and
wherein the plunger is configured to shift axially along the collection axis such that the extension slides within barrel both before and after rotation of the plunger relative to the base to reposition the plunger between the first position, the second position, and the third position.