The subject matter disclosed generally relates to a method and device for extracting a post from a substrate.
A variety of positioning and extracting tools for posts and the like are known in the literature:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,031, issued on Apr. 2, 2002 to Amicangelo discloses a device for implanting rods in a substrate and for extracting rods from a substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,591 issued on Aug. 27, 1991 to Hull discloses a device for restraining and non-rotatively driving and extracting fence posts, the device comprising a number of separate components.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,030 issued on Oct. 28, 1997 to Hull discloses a device for pulling fence posts. The device comprises a built in fulcrum, downward force on one end of the device being translated into an upward pulling force at its other end, to lift the post out of the substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,277 issued on Nov. 29, 1994 to Moss discloses a device for removing T shaped metal fence posts. The device relies on leveraged pulling of the post upwards out of the substrate and comprises several separate components.
In a first embodiment there is disclosed a post-pounder comprising a post extractor the post-pounder having a pounder length and a crosswise extraction hole: the extraction hole sized to accept an exposed portion of the post and having an engaging edge for engaging the exposed portion of the post.
In an alternative embodiment the post-pounder according has first and second walls; the first and second wall defining therebetween a bore; the first wall comprising the extraction hole, and the second wall comprising a opening opposed to the extraction hole; the extraction hole and the opening being sized to accept insertion of a post.
In an alternative embodiment the post-pounder has a pounder length and wherein the opening has a opening length and the extraction hole has an extraction hole length, each of the opening length and the extraction hole length being substantially parallel to the pounder length and the opening length is longer than the extraction hole length.
In alternative embodiments the opposed extraction hole and opening are differentially sized so that the angle defined between the pounder and a post extending through the extraction hole is moveable between first and second values.
In alternative embodiments the first value is at least about 80 degrees and the second value is at least about 10 degrees and in further alternative embodiments the first value is about 65 degrees and the second value is about 25 degrees.
In alternative embodiments the post-pounder comprises handles and the bore terminates in a post pounding end.
In alternative embodiments the engaging edge is a straight edge.
In alternative embodiments the extraction hole has two ends and one the end is substantially longer than the other the end.
In alternative embodiments the extraction hole is substantially triangular.]
In alternative embodiments the engaging edge is useable to pry the post out of a substrate when the pounder is used as a lever. In alternative embodiments there is disclosed a method for extracting a planted post, the method comprising the steps of: providing a post-pounder having an end and an engaging edge; leaning the pounder against an exposed portion of the post so that the engaging edge engages the post, and so that an end of the pounder simultaneously rests on a substrate; repeatedly laterally displacing the post to thereby incrementally extract the post from the substrate.
In alternative embodiments the post comprises a plurality of projections and the engaging comprises engaging the projections.
In alternative embodiments the engaging is compressive.
In alternative embodiments the method comprises repeatedly compressing the extractor between the post and the substrate.
In alternative embodiments there is disclosed a post-extractor for extracting a post embedded in a substrate, the post-extractor characterised in comprising a post-pounding bore, an extraction edge and an extraction hole for accepting insertion of the post across the bore, and wherein the post-extractor and the inserted post are able to define therebetween a variable angle.
In alternative embodiments the extractor comprises first and second walls the first and second walls defining therebetween the bore the first wall comprising the extraction hole, and the second wall comprising an opposed opening the opening and the opening being sized to a post.
In alternative embodiments the opening has a opening length and the extraction hole has an extraction hole length, each the length being substantially parallel to the pounder length and wherein the opening length is substantially longer than the extraction hole length.
In alternative embodiments the opposed extraction hole and opening are differentially sized so that the angle defined between the pounder and a post extending through the extraction hole is moveable between first and second values.
In alternative embodiments the first value is at least about 80 degrees and the second value is at least about 10 degrees or the first value is at least about 65 degrees and the second value is at least about 25 degrees.
In alternative embodiments the post-pounder comprises handles and the bore terminates in a post pounding end.
In alternative embodiments, the extracting is achieved by compressing the post-extractor between the post and the substrate.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims.
Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.
In this disclosure, the word “comprising” is used in a non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
In this disclosure the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range including all whole numbers, all integers and all fractional intermediates (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5 etc.).
In this disclosure the singular forms a “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture of two or more compounds.
In this disclosure term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
In this disclosure the term “unitary” indicates that a device or item does not comprise moving parts. A post-pounder or post-extractor as disclosed herein may be of unitary construction, having no moving parts or having no moving parts that are necessary for its functions of pounding and/or extracting posts.
In this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities or ingredients, measurement of properties 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 or necessary in light of the context, the numerical parameters set forth in the disclosure are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure and in light of the inaccuracies of measurement and quantification. Without limiting the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Not withstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, their numerical values set forth in the specific examples are understood broadly only to the extent that this is consistent with the validity of the disclosure and the distinction of the subject matter disclosed and claimed from the prior art. A first embodiment of the post extractor is generally described with reference to
In a first embodiment there is disclosed a post-extractor generally designated 10 which may be comprised in or combined with a post-pounder. In the illustrated embodiment the post extractor is of unitary construction and comprises no moving parts. The general structure of the post-extractor 10 is explained with particular reference to
The post-extractor 10 is adapted for extracting a post 300 from a substrate 340 in which a portion 320 of the post is embedded, leaving a protruding exposed portion 310 of the post which is accessible. The post-extractor may have a length 162 and may have a crosswise extraction hole 180 sized to accept an exposed portion of a post 300 and having an engaging edge 170 for engaging the exposed portion 310 of the post 300. In embodiments the post 300 may be a T-post and may be a studded T-post and in embodiments the extractor 10 may be a rigid or substantially rigid tube.
As will be seen from
In embodiments body of the post-extractor 10 may comprise a plurality of walls. In the illustrated embodiment wherein the tube is substantially square in cross section, the structural surface comprises a first or front wall 110 and opposed second or back wall 120, as well as side walls 130, which extend between the first or front and second or back walls. It will be seen that first and second walls 110, 120 define therebetween a bore 160 which is generally sized to accept insertion of a post 300. First wall 110 may define or comprise an extraction hole 180, and the second wall 120 may comprise a opening 190 that may be generally opposed to the extraction hole 180. The extraction hole 180 and the opening are 190 sized to accept insertion of an exposed portion 310 of a post 300 across the bore 160. The post-extractor has a length 162 and the opening 190 has a opening length 194 and the extraction hole 180 has an extraction hole length 186. Each of the opening length 194 and the extraction hole length 184 are substantially parallel to the pounder length 162 and the opening length 194 is longer than extraction hole length 184. The extraction hole 180 comprises an extraction edge for engaging a surface of a post to be extracted, it will be understood that such an extraction edge may be adapted by the use of non-slip surfaces, hardening, the addition of strengthening or stiffening materials, or by a variety of other methods that will be readily understood and implemented by those skilled in the art so as to improve the durability and effectiveness of the extractor.
A method for use of the extractor as a post-pounder is shown particularly in
In embodiments the opposed extraction hole 180 and opening 190 are differentially sized so that, as will be seen from
It will be understood that the opening 190 in the second wall may be of any suitable shape, and may be defined over all its perimeter or only over a portion of its perimeter, which may extend into the side walls 130 joining first and second walls 110 and 120 and in embodiments as illustrated in
In embodiments, as further illustrated particularly in
It will be seen that where the opening 190 is suitably positioned near an end of the post-extractor 10, then an end 192 of the opening may be unenclosed and the opening 190 may be formed by a recess, cutout, or other discontinuity or shaping of the second or back wall 120. This may be best seen in
A method for extracting a planted post generally designated 300 is described with particular reference to
In embodiments the method may comprise repeatedly compressing the pounder/extractor between the post 300 and the substrate 340. As will be seen, with pounder/extractor 10 leaning into position and post 300 inserted through extraction hole 180 and opening 190, upward displacement the post in a first direction A (as shown in
In an alternative embodiment there is disclosed a post-extractor 10 for extracting a post 300 embedded in a substrate 340, said post-extractor 10 characterised in comprising an extraction edge 170 and an extraction hole 180 for accepting the exposed portion 310 of post 300 and wherein the post-extractor 10 and the inserted post 300 are able to define therebetween a variable angle {acute over (α)}. The post-extractor 10 may be comprised in or combined with a post pounder having a bore 160, and wherein insertion of the post 300 is crosswise relative to the length of the extractor 10 and its longitudinal bore 160. The post-pounder/post-extractor may comprise first wall 110 and second wall 120 and the first and second walls may at least partly define the bore. The first wall 110 may comprise or define the extraction hole 180, and the second wall 120 may comprise an opposed opening 190 the hole and opening being sized to accept a post 300. In embodiments the opening 190 may have a opening length 194 and the extraction hole 180 may have an extraction hole length 186, each said length being substantially parallel to the length of the post-pounder/extractor 10, which extends between first and second ends, 200 and 220. The opening length 194 may be substantially longer than the extraction hole length 186.
In embodiments the opposed extraction hole 180 and opening 190 are differentially sized so that the angle defined between the pounder 10 and a post 300 extending through the extraction hole is moveable between first and second values. In embodiments the first value may be about 80 degrees and the second value may be about 10 degrees. In alternative embodiments the first value may be about 65 degrees and the second value may be about 25 degrees.
In embodiments post-pounder/extractor 10 comprises handles 150 and the bore 160 terminates in a first end 200 which may be a post pounding end and may accordingly be thickened or strengthened in ways readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The engaging edge 170 may be a straight edge. In embodiments the extraction hole 180 may have two ends and one end 184 of the hole may substantially wider than the other end 182 of the hole. In embodiments the extraction hole 180 may be substantially triangular. In embodiments the engaging edge 170 may be useable to pry the post 300 out of a substrate 340 by using the pounder 10 as a lever. In embodiments the extracting is achieved by compressing the post-pounder/post-extractor 10 between the exposed portion 310 of the post 300 and the substrate 340.
It will be noted that the embodiments disclosed do not require a user to use the post-extractor as a lever, although as noted above, a user may elect to do so, and the extraction process may be driven by repeated lateral displacements of a post to be removed. Those skilled in the art will readily understand how the operation of the method and the use of the post-extractors of embodiments may be adapted to suit a variety of environments and operational requirements. For example, where the substrate is soft then a strong supporting structure may be provided to withstand the compression between the extractor and the substrate, or where the substrate surface is slippery then provision may be made to reduce slippage and preserve the compressive force that the extractor exerts on a post.
The embodiments and examples presented herein are illustrative of the general nature of the subject matter claimed and are not limiting. It will be understood by those skilled in the art how these embodiments can be readily modified and/or adapted for various applications and in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed claimed. The claims hereof are to be understood to include without limitation all alternative embodiments and equivalents of the subject matter hereof. Phrases, words and terms employed herein are illustrative and are not limiting. Where permissible by law, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will be appreciated that any aspects of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in a range of possible alternative embodiments, and alternative combinations of features, all of which varied combinations of features are to be understood to form a part of the subject matter claimed. Particular embodiments may alternatively comprise or consist of or exclude any one or more of the elements disclosed.