The present disclosure generally relates post drivers and removers for the installation and removal of posts and the like.
Post drivers are used to install posts by ramming or driving the posts into the ground. Generally, a user repeatedly hits the post into the ground with the post driver by lifting the post driver and then hitting the post with the post driver.
In one aspect, a post driver and remover for the installation and removal of posts comprises a post receiver having a post receiver body having a driving end and an opposite driven end. The post receiver body defines a post receiving space having an open end adjacent the driven end and a closed end adjacent the driving end. The post receiving space is sized and shaped to receive an upper end portion of one of the posts. The post receiver body has a first extractor and a second extractor. The first extractor is configured to receive a first post of a first cross-sectional size or shape. The second extractor is configured to have a different size or shape from the first extractor to receive a second post of a second cross-sectional size or shape.
In another aspect, a post driver for installing a post comprises a post receiver having a post receiver body having a driving end and an opposite driven end. The post receiver body defines a post receiving space having an open end adjacent the driven end and a closed end adjacent the driving end. The post receiving space is sized and shaped to receive an upper end portion of the post. A handle includes a handle body connected to the post receiver body and a grip mounted on the handle body. The grip is disposed in a grip cavity of the handle body. The grip is arranged to be engaged by the user when the user operates the post driver to install the post.
Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to
The post driver 10 includes a post receiver 12 and a handle 14. The post receiver 12 has a post receiver body 16. The post receiver body 16 is generally elongate, with a driving end 18 and an opposite driven end 20. The post receiver body 16 defines a post receiving space 22 having an open end 24 and an opposite closed end 26 (
The post receiver 12 includes a post extractor 32 configured to remove posts P from the ground G. An installed post P is inserted into the post extractor 32 and the post driver 10 is then operated by the user to remove the post from the ground G (
Each pair of extraction holes 34 is configured to operate together to remove a post P of a particular size and/or shape from the ground G. Accordingly, the holes of each pair of extraction holes have a size and shape to permit a particular size and shape of a post P to be received therein. Each extraction hole 34 in a pair has an identical size and shape. The extraction holes 34 in each pair have a size and/or shape that is different than the extraction holes of at least one of the other pairs. Desirably, the size and/or shape of the extraction holes 34 in each pair are different than the size and/or shape of the extraction holes of the other pairs. Broadly, the extraction holes 34 of each pair desirably have at least one of a different shape than the shapes of the other pairs of extraction holes or a different size than the other pairs of extraction holes. This allows the post extractor 32 to be used with posts of different cross-sectional shapes and/or sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second extraction holes 34A, 34B have a first shape, the third and fourth extraction holes 34C, 34D have a second shape different than the first shape, and the fifth and sixth extraction holes also have the second shape. The first shape corresponds to the cross-sectional shape (e.g., a first cross-sectional shape) of one type of post P (e.g., a first post) and the second shape is different from the first shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second holes 34A, 34B are generally U-shaped to correspond to the U-shaped cross-section of a U-post. The third and fourth holes 34C, 34D are generally diamond-shaped. And the fifth and sixth holes 34F, 34E are generally diamond-shaped. The extraction holes having the diamond shape are intended for use with posts (e.g., fiberglass posts) having a round cross section, and the opposing edge segments of the diamond shaped holes (e.g., edge segments forming a generally V-shape) facilitate gripping opposing sides of the post. However, it will be understood the extraction holes having the diamond shape can be used for extracting posts of other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., diamond or square). Other shapes and sizes of the extractor openings are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the extractor openings could have a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the second shape of the third and fourth extraction holes 34C, 34D is larger than the second shape of the fifth and sixth extraction holes 34E, 34F. This allows the third and fourth extraction holes 34C, 34D to be used to extract a larger post P having the same shape as the post the fifth and sixth extraction holes 34E, 34F extract. In the illustrated embodiment, the third and fourth extraction holes 34C, 34D are sized to receive a ½ inch diameter post and the fifth and sixth extraction holes 34E, 34F are sized to receive a ⅜ inch diameter post. It is understood that the extraction holes 34 can receive smaller posts. For example, the user can insert a ⅜ inch diamond post into the third and fourth extraction holes 34, 34D.
Referring to
The post receiver 12 (e.g., the post receiver body 16 and the plug 30) can comprise a rigid material such as a metallic material (e.g., steel) or the like. The post receiver body 16 and the plug 30 may be a unitary, one-piece component or multiple pieces joined together, such as by welding.
Referring to
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In one embodiment, the handle may include a rigid member (not shown) to strengthen and stiffen the handle. The rigid member may extend longitudinally along the handle and be encased or surrounded by the handle body. The rigid member may be connected (such as by welding) to the driving end of the post receiver. The rigid member may comprise a rigid material such as a metallic material (e.g., steel) or the like. In one embodiment, the rigid member is a length of metal tubing (e.g., circular or square metal tubing).
The handle 14 includes at least one grip 46 mounted on the handle body 38. The at least one grip 46 is arranged to be engaged by the user when the user operates the post driver 10 to install the post P (e.g., when the user grabs the handle 14). Accordingly, the at least one grip 46 defines at least a portion of the exterior surface of the handle 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 14 includes first and second grips 46. The first grip 46 is mounted on the first handle member 44. The first grip 46 is generally recessed into the first handle member 44. The first handle member 44 defines a first grip cavity or depression 48 in which the first grip 46 is disposed. Exterior surfaces of the first grip 46 and the first handle member 44 are generally flush with one another. This provides a smooth transition between the first handle member 44 and the first grip 46 to make it easy for a user to position their hand at generally any position along the first handle member. The illustrated first grip 46 is entirely disposed in the first grip cavity 48. The first grip 46 (e.g., an interior surface thereof) conforms to the size and shape of the first handle member 44 (e.g., a surface thereof defining the base of the cavity 48). The first grip 46 defines a lumen therethrough in which the first handle member 44 is disposed. To further enhance the attachment between the first grip 46 and the first handle member 44, the first grip and the first handle member can be mated together. Desirably, one of the first grip 46 and the first handle member 44 includes at least one projection 50 (e.g., a plurality of projections) and the other of the first grip and the first handle member includes at least one recess 52 (e.g., a plurality of recesses). Each projection 50 is disposed in one of the recesses 52 to inhibit the first grip 46 and the first handle member 44 from moving (e.g., sliding) relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first grip 46 includes (e.g., defines) the recesses 52 and the first handle member 44 includes the projections 50. Alternatively, the first grip could include the projections and the first handle member could include the recesses or the first grip and the first handle member could both include a combination of projections and recesses. The illustrated recesses 52 are openings extending through the first grip 46. The illustrated projections 50 comprise ribs extending radially outward into the openings 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 14 includes two projections 50 and two recesses 52, although more or fewer are within the scope of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the exterior surfaces of the projections 50 are flush with the exterior surface of the first grip 46.
The second grip 46 is generally identical to the first grip (e.g., is a mirror image thereof). The second grip 46 is mounted on the second handle member 44. The second grip 46 is generally recessed into the second handle member 44. The second handle member 44 defines a second grip cavity or depression 48 in which the second grip 46 is disposed. Exterior surfaces of the second grip 46 and the second handle member 44 are generally flush with one another. This provides a smooth transition between the second handle member 44 and the second grip 46 to make it easy for a user to position their hand at generally any position along the second handle member. The illustrated second grip 46 is entirely disposed in the second grip cavity 48. The second grip 46 (e.g., an interior surface thereof) conforms to the size and shape of the second handle member 44 (e.g., a surface thereof defining the base of the cavity 48). The second grip 46 defines a lumen therethrough in which the second handle member 44 is disposed. To further enhance the attachment between the second grip 46 and the second handle member 44, the second grip and the second handle member can be mated together. Desirably, one of the second grip 46 and the second handle member 44 includes at least one projection 50 (e.g., a plurality of projections) and the other of the second grip and the second handle member includes at least one recess 52 (e.g., a plurality of recesses). Each projection 50 is disposed in one of the recesses 52 to inhibit the second grip 46 and the second handle member 44 from moving (e.g., sliding) relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the second grip 46 includes (e.g., defines) the recesses 52 and the second handle member 44 includes the projections 50. Alternatively, the second grip could include the projections and the second handle member could include the recesses or the second grip and the second handle member could both include a combination of projections and recesses. The illustrated recesses 52 are openings extending through the second grip 46. The illustrated projections 50 comprise ribs extending radially outward into the openings 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 14 includes two projections 50 and two recesses 52, although more or fewer are within the scope of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the exterior surfaces of the projections 50 are flush with the exterior surface of the second grip 46.
The handle body 38 is, desirably, a unitary, one-piece component (e.g., the connection portion 40 and the first and second handle members 44 are unitary, one-piece components). In other embodiments, the handle body 38 may be multiple pieces joined together, such as by welding or bonding. Desirably, the handle body 38 comprises a polymeric material such as a nylon, plastic or the like. Broadly, the post receiver 12 (e.g., the post receiver body 16 and the plug 30) comprise a first material (e.g., a metallic material) and the handle body 38 comprises a second material (e.g., a polymeric material) that is different from the first material. The first material is able to withstand the repeated impacts against the post P while the second material, desirably, dampens the force of each impact felt by the user. The first and second grips 46 may be made of any suitable material such as thermoplastic elastomer, plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), fabric, silicone, rubber, etc. (broadly, a third material that may be different than the first and/or second materials). The handle body 38, in combination with the first and second grips 46, provides better grip, comfort, and impact dampening properties than conventional post drivers with metal handles. The handle 14 provides impact dampening to lessen the force of each impact against the post P felt by the user as the post driver 10 repeatedly strikes the post.
In one embodiment, the handle body 38 is formed by injection molding and then the first and second grips 44 are molded (e.g., overmolded) onto the handle body. For example, the handle body 38 may be injection molded onto the receiver 12 after fabricating the receiver. Other ways of forming the handle 14 are within the scope of the present disclosure. Securely attaching the first and second grips 46 to the handle body 38, as described herein (e.g., such as by using projections 50 and recesses 52), inhibits the first and second grips from moving relative to the handle body (e.g., the first and second handle members 44) as the post driver 10 is repeatedly used to strike the post into the ground.
In operation, to install a post P into the ground G, a bottom end or tip of the post is positioned where the user desires to drive the post into the ground. The upper end portion of the post P is positioned in the post receiving space 22 by inserting the upper end of the post through the open end 24 of the post receiving space. While the upper end portion of the post P is within the post receiver 12 (e.g. in the post receiving space 22), the user, grasping the handle 14, moves the post driver 10 upward and downward repeatedly along the post to repeatedly strike the upper end of the post with the closed end 26 of the post receiving space 22 (broadly, the post receiver 12) to drive the post into the ground G. As the post driver 10 is moved up and down, the user keeps the upper end portion of the post P within the post receiving space 22 to guide and balance the post as the post is driven into the ground.
The post receiving space 22 can be sized and shaped to receive generally any size and shape of post P. In the illustrated embodiment, the post receiving space 22 is sized and shaped to receive a relatively thin (e.g., about 1 inch diameter) post or a relatively thin U-shaped cross-section post. Such posts may be used as part of a fence (e.g., an electric fence). In one embodiment, the post receiving space 22 may have a diameter of about 30 mm (about 1.2 inches, broadly less than about 1.5 inches, or less than 2 inches). Having the post receiving space 22 (e.g., a width or diameter thereof) sized to generally correspond to the size of the post P being driven into the ground G minimizes the chances the post driver 10 damages the post as the post is driven into the ground. For example, standard post drivers typically have a post receiving space with a large internal diameter (e.g., about 3.5 inches). Although these standard post drivers can be used to drive smaller posts P into the ground G, the standard post drivers tend to drive these smaller posts into the ground at an angle and/or snap the post into pieces due to the excess room inside the post receiving space of the post driver. Other tools, such as a hammer, can also be used to drive smaller posts P into the ground G, but this frequently results in the tool shattering the end of the post, exposing the fiberglass fibers and potentially injuring a user's hands. Accordingly, the illustrated post driver 10 is better suited to drive smaller posts 10 into the ground than other conventional methods.
Referring to
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope defined in the appended claims.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/064,789, filed Aug. 12, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63064789 | Aug 2020 | US |