Post straightening apparatus and method

A method for straightening an article comprising the steps of:

• a) placing an article on a pair of rails, the rails define rail support surfaces for supporting the article, wherein the rails define a space therebetween, wherein the article is placed on the pair of rails in a manner to permit receipt of a first article portion within the space defined between the rails such that the first article portion avoids contact with the rails;
• b) moving an actuator with a pair of arms connected thereto toward the rails and into engagement with the article, wherein the aims define a space therebetween, wherein the space between the arms is capable of receiving a second article portion thereby permitting the second article portion to avoid contact with the arms;
• c) moving the actuator with the pair of arms away from the article disposed on the rails;
• and
• d) removing the article from the rails.

An apparatus for straightening an article comprising:

• an actuator;
• an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece comprising two arms, the arms defining a space therebetween, wherein the arms define arm contact surfaces for contacting an article to be straightened;
• a support member comprising two rails, the rails defining a space therebetween, wherein the rails define rail support surfaces for supporting the article, wherein the arm contact surfaces are aligned with the rail support surfaces;
• and
• wherein upon activation of the actuator, the actuator moves toward the support member causing the arms to engage the article, and wherein the space between the arms and the space between the rails are adapted to receive article portions such that article portions within the spaces are not engaged, wherein article portions within the space between the arms avoid contact with the endpiece and article portions within the space between the rails avoid contact with the support member.