TOOL AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR REMOVING SUNKEN POST FROM SUBSURFACE POSITION

Abstract

A tool for use in removing a post from the ground includes a housing having a recess therein for slidably receiving the post. A hinged support arm extends from the housing into the recess, wherein the support arm is initially angled relative to the recess such that a protrusion extending from the post received within the recess causes a ramp-up movement relative to the support arm when the tool is being lowered onto the post as the protrusion impacts the support arm and a locked-in-place orientation when the support arm is wedged onto a lower surface of the protrusion as the tool is being translated upwardly. The hinged support arm is biased into the locked-in-place orientation.

Claims

1. A tool for use in removing a post from the ground, the tool comprising: a housing having a recess therein for slidably receiving the post; a hinged support arm extending from the housing into the recess, wherein the support arm is initially angled relative to the recess such that a protrusion extending from the post received within the recess causes a ramp-up movement relative to the support arm when the tool is being lowered onto the post as the protrusion impacts the support arm, and a locked-in-place orientation when the support arm is wedged onto a lower surface of the protrusion as the tool is being translated upwardly, wherein the hinged support arm is biased into the locked-in-place orientation.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the recess in the housing has a main channel for receiving a back portion of the post, and a planar section defining the channel for receiving another portion of the post.

3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the hinged support arm is biased into the locked-in-place orientation by a spring extending from a tab off the hinged support arm to the housing.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein pressing of the tab imparts hinged movement of the hinged support arm.

5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the hinged support arm is biased into the locked-in-place orientation by a spring.

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines an opening for receiving a chain or other fastener to couple the tool to an equipment for imparting the upward translation.

7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the hinged support arm extends between two opposing panels that protrude from the housing.

8. The tool according to claim 7, wherein the hinged support arm is carried by a pin or fastener extending between the two opposing panels.

9. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the post being worked on by the tool is a t-post.

10. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a vertically extending support to which a chain or other fastener couples the tool to an equipment for imparting the upward translation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool installed about a post according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The tool is shown where hinged a support is engaged against a bottom side of a protrusion of a post;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool installed about the post according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side, partial cross-section view of the tool being translated down upon a post according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Below, the technical solutions in the examples of the present invention are depicted clearly and comprehensively with reference to the figures according to the examples of the present invention. Obviously, the examples depicted here are merely some examples, but not all examples of the present invention. In general, the components in the examples of the present invention depicted and shown in the figures herein can be arranged and designed according to different configurations. Thus, detailed description of the examples of the present invention provided in the figures below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as claimed, but merely represent selected examples of the present invention. On the basis of the examples of the present invention, all of other examples that could be obtained by a person skilled in the art without using inventive efforts will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] A tool for use in removing a post from the ground is generally designated 10 and the post designated 1, a protrusion from the post designated 2, and a ground surface designated 3. The tool 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is shown constructed out of metal, which may be a usual embodiment, however, the housing 12 may be constructed out of any material and may take on many various types of construction and dimensionality. The housing 12 may define a recess 14 therein for slidably receiving the post 1. The recess 14 and associated features will be described in more detail later.

[0021] A hinged support arm 16 extends from the housing 12 into the recess 14. The hinged support 16 may take on any appropriate construction and dimensionality, and may embody a flat blade shape as shown, or may embodiment more of a rod or similar shape. As will be described in more detail later, the support arm 16 may be initially angled relative to the recess 14 such that the protrusion 2 extending from the post 1, where the post 1 is received within the recess 14 causes a “ramp-up” movement of an end of the support arm 16 when the tool 10 is being lowered onto the post 1 as the protrusion 2 impacts the end of the support arm 16. The support arm 16 also a locked-in-place orientation when the support arm is wedged onto a lower surface of the protrusion as the tool is being translated upwardly. In one or more embodiments and as will be described with greater detail herein, the hinged support arm 16 is biased into the locked-in-place orientation.

[0022] A top view of the tool 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The recess 14 in the housing 12 has a main channel 20 for receiving a back portion of the post 1, and a planar section 22 surrounding the channel 20 for receiving another portion of the post 1. In this manner, the recess 14 and planar section 22 mount against the back side of most “t posts.” Due to the hinged movement of the support arm 16, a variety of sizes oft posts can be accommodated and a larger t post will have a more vertically extending hinged support arm 16 due to greater size required to traverse the main channel 20.

[0023] With reference again to FIG. 1, the hinged support arm 16 is biased into the locked-in-place orientation by a spring 26. The spring 26 may be a torsional spring, or a helical spring extending from a tab 24 off the hinged support arm 16 to the housing 12. The bias of the hinged support arm always imparts a counter-clockwise rotational force when viewed from the right of the device as illustrated in FIG. 1. Pressing of the tab 24 imparts hinged movement of the hinged support arm 16 in the clockwise direction in order to position the support arm 16 out of the way of the protrusions 2 from the post 1 so that the tool can be removed after use, or re-adjusted based on a desired location of the tool 10 relative to the post 1. As illustrated, the hinged support arm 16 extends between two opposing panels 36 that protrude from the housing 12 and rotates about pin 40.

[0024] With further reference to FIG. 1, the housing 12 defines an opening 32 for receiving a chain, cable, or other fastener 34 to couple the tool to an equipment for imparting the upward translation. The opening 32 is defined at an end of a vertically extending support 30 that provides vertical clearance for tool 10 relative to post 1.

[0025] Operation of the tool is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tool 10 is placed proximal post 1 such that the post 1 is received within recess 14 and such that the back spine of the post 1 is received within main channel 20. The tool 10 is then lowered as shown with the directional arrow in FIG. 3 until an end of the hinged support arm 16 contacts protrusion 2, at which point the hinged support arm 16 pivots clockwise out of the way so that the tool 10 can continue translating downwardly. Once a desired downwardly position is reached, the hinged support arm 16 is placed into the locked-in place orientation by simply pulling up on the tool 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 until the end of the hinged support arm 16 engages with a bottom facing surface of protrusion 2 of the t post 1. At this point, further and continued upward translation forces pulls the t post out of the ground. Removal of the tool 10 is accomplished by pressing onto tab 24, which rotates the support arm 16 out of the way of the post 1, and then lifting the tool 10 upwardly off of the post 1. Alternatively, if there is no obstruction on the post 1, in some instances, the tool 10 can be removed by sliding the tool 10 until it comes off of the bottom of the post 1.

[0026] The tool 10 is shown working on a t post 1, but can be used with a variety of structures where the end of support arm 16 “digs into” the structure upon being translated upwardly. For example, the tool 10 can have a larger recess area 14 that accommodates wooden stakes or posts, or more in some embodiments work on a ridged rebar structure. For further reinforcement, an additional chain structure can extend from the tool 10 to further wrap around any t post or similar that is exceedingly sunk into the ground.

[0027] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0028] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0029] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description of The Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

[0030] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0031] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.

[0032] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0033] While the embodiments have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

[0034] Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.

[0035] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0036] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.

[0037] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.