Post removing device

#The invention relates to the field of devices for pulling and removing posts and poles from the ground, and more particularly to a device which enables removal of a post or the stub of a post or pole from the ground.

#As those skilled in the art are aware various governmental agencies such as cities, counties and states have long been plagued by the need for means to anchor sign posts and the like. With devices now available for detachably anchoring posts the need has arisen for a device which can also rapidly pull a post or the stub of a damaged, vandalized or broken post or pole. For instance, when a post is broken so that a stub must be removed, the amount of effort and time required of workmen becomes substantial and thus the expense may be prohibitive. Generally, the stub must be dug out particularly if an anchoring device is secured to the post below ground level. Where workmen have had a stub to remove from the ground one practice has been to screw a heavy eye bolt into the broken stub and then insert a bar or other heavy pry device through the eye and leverage the stub out of the ground. Where an anchoring device is attached more digging than normal is required of the crew. Even where there is no anchoring means or where an entire post must be removed digging is still required even though to a lesser extent. Accordingly, governmental entities incur large annual expenses for labor, post material, sign maintenance, and post repair and replacement.

#Applicant is not aware of any prior art patents which relate to the invention herein described and claimed.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing the tool of this invention and the hammer bar used therewith;

#FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of the extractor tool showing additional details of its construction;

#FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view in elevation showing additional details of construction and the manner of its usage; and

#Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the device, generally designated by the number 10, has a post gripper or tool section generally referred to by the number 12 and a handle portion generally referred to by the number 14. The tool portion 12 has a generally rectangular back wall 16 with upper edge 18 and lower edge 20. Side wall plates 22 and 24 are attached to the side edges of the back wall and extend forwardly at right angles to the back wall and generally parallel to each other. Note that the upper edges 26 and 28 of the side walls are flush with upper edge 18 of the back wall. Lower edges 30 and 32 of the side walls angle upwardly from the front edges 34 and 36 to join lower edge 20 of the back wall. The angle of lower edges 30 and 32 forces the tool to move toward the post to maintain its proper position. The tool portion of the device is, for illustrative information only, approximately nine inches long along the front edges 34 and 36 and approximately seven inches long on the back plate or wall 16. The overall width is about four and a quarter inches and the depth of side walls 22 and 24 is about three inches from front edges 34 and 36 to back wall 18.

#Two teeth are welded to the outside of back wall 18 and extend downwardly and inwardly as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The teeth are approximately two inches long by one-half inch in width and one-quarter inch thick. The number of teeth 38 and 40 attached to the device is a matter of design preference but two such teeth have found to be effective. Again the dimensions are given for illustrative purposes and not for specific limitations. The tool portion 12 of the device shows that the lower edges 30 and 32 are beveled on the inside surface to facilitate hammering of the tool into the ground.

#The handle portion 14 has upper end 46 and lower end 48 and is made of a length of pipe approximately nineteen inches long with a one-eighth inch thick wall and a diameter of one and seven-eighths inches. The handle 14 is welded to the back of the tool portion as shown so that the handle is well secured to the tool portion. A thick bottom slug 50 of metal is located and secured near the lower end 48 on the inside of the handle. Note that the lower end portion 52 of the handle between slug 50 and lower end 48 is crimped slightly since the slug forms the hammering surface by which the device is pounded into the ground.