The present invention relates to T-post removers. More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle mounted T-post remover.
Many construction workers are required to remove installed T-posts. This process is typically time-consuming and labor intensive. It generally requires more than one operator to jack the T-post out of the ground and remove it. Frequently, during this process, the T-posts are damaged and cannot be reused in another project, leading to higher incurred costs. Furthermore, using the current methods, removing multiple T-posts at once takes up even more man-hours, reducing total worker productivity. Therefore, a device that allows a single operator to remove multiple T-posts with a minimum of time and effort is provided.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing T-post removal devices. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of T-post removers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a vehicle mounted T-post remover wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when removing T-posts from the ground.
The present system comprises a housing having at least one sidewall, an upper end, and an open lower end, wherein at least one sidewall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A ratcheting latch system having a release lever is disposed on the interior surface of the sidewall. The ratcheting latch system is configured to engage with the protrusion of a T-post. The release lever is adapted to disengage the ratcheting latch system from the protrusion of the T-post. A curved member adapted to removably secure the housing to the bucket of a construction vehicle is disposed at the upper end. In some embodiments, the housing is cylindrical. In yet other embodiments, the T-post remover further comprises at least one eyelet adapted to attach to a cable disposed on the exterior surface of at least one sidewall. In another embodiment, the cable is adapted to removably secure the housing to the construction vehicle. In some embodiments, the release lever is disposed on the exterior surface of at least one sidewall. In yet other embodiments, the release lever is adapted to attach to a flexible cord. In another embodiment, the curved member comprises a U-shape.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vehicle mounted T-post remover. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
Disposed at the upper end 14 is a curved member 16. The curved member 16 is adapted to removably secure the housing 12 to the work bucket of a construction vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved member 16 comprises a U-shape, however in other embodiments, the curved member 16 comprises other curved shapes, such as a hook. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved member 16 is pivotally attached to the upper end 14 by a rod so as to allow the housing 12 to remain substantially vertical as it is maneuvered. However, in other embodiments, the curved member 16 is integral to the housing 12.
At least one sidewall 13 comprises an exterior surface 22 and interior surface (as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, a release lever 18 is pivotally affixed to the exterior surface 22 of the housing 12, such that the release lever 18 can selectively move between a biased position and an unbiased position. In the illustrated embodiment, the release lever 18 is in the biased position, wherein the release lever 18 extends through a recess 29 in the housing 12, resting flush against the upper portion of the recess 29 so as to allow the release lever 18 to pivot towards a locking pin 28 disposed on the exterior surface 22 of the housing 12. The locking pin 28 provides a backstop for the release lever 18, preventing the release lever 18 from pivoting beyond the locking pin 28, such that the release lever 18 rests flush against the locking pin 28 in the unbiased position. The release lever 18 further comprises an aperture 30 configured to receive a flexible cord 20 therethrough. The flexible cord 20 allows the user to actuate the release lever 18 from a distance, such as from the cab of a construction vehicle. Actuating the release lever 18 disengages the T-post 21 from the interior of the housing 12.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In one use, the user attaches the vehicle mounted T-post remover 11 to the work bucket 27 of the construction vehicle 26 via hooking the curved member 16 over the edge of the work bucket 27. The user then attaches the cable 19 to at least one eyelet 17. The opposite end of the cable 19 is then attached to the back of the work bucket 27. The user attaches a flexible cord 20 to the release lever 18 and trails it back to the cab of the construction vehicle 26. The user then maneuvers the construction vehicle 26 such that the housing 12 is disposed above a T-post 21. The work bucket 27 and attached housing 12 are then lowered over the top of the T-post 21 until the ratcheting latch system 24 engages with a protrusion 25 of the T-post 21 as the upper side 32 of the spring-biased plate 31 contacts the protrusion 25. Once the ratcheting latch system 24 is engaged with the T-post 21, the user raises the work bucket 27 and the attached housing 12 removing the T-post 21 from the ground. Once removed, the user then actuates the release lever 18 from the cab of the construction vehicle 26 by pulling flexible cord 20, moving the upper side 32 of the spring-biased plate 31 towards the release lever 18, such that there is no physical contact between the protrusion 25 and the upper side 32, thereby disengaging the T-post 21 from the ratcheting latch system 24, dropping the T-post to the ground. The user then repeats this process for each subsequent T-post 21 that must be removed.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/397,537 filed on Sep. 21, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180080244 A1 | Mar 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62397537 | Sep 2016 | US |