Tool for extracting the remnants of sign posts and method for using the same

A tool for extracting the sheared remnants of sign posts said sign posts having holes therein said tool comprising:

• a. a rectangular shaft portion having a top and bottom end;
• b. a sliding hammer mechanism connected to the top end of said shaft portion;
• c. clamping means positioned at the bottom end of the shaft portion for securely engaging said sign post remnant wherein said clamping means comprises:
• i. a stationary clamp member integral to the bottom end of the shaft portion;
• ii. a moveable clamp member pivotally connected to said stationary clamp member for pivoting movement towards and away from the stationary clamp member so that when the clamping means is inserted into the sign post remnant the stationary and moveable clamp members cooperate to permit the firm engagement the remnant for extraction;
• and,
• iii. means for pivotally connecting the moveable clamp member to the stationary clamp member.

A method of extracting the remnants of sign posts, having holes therein, said method comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a tool having:
• i. a shaft portion having a top and bottom end;
• ii. a sliding hammer mechanism connected to the top end of said shaft portion;
• and,
• iii. clamping means positioned at the bottom end of the shaft portion for securely engaging sign post remnant;
• b. securely engaging clamping means to the sign post remnant;
• and,
• c. causing the sliding hammer mechanism imparts extraction forces through the shaft portion to the clamp means for extracting the signpost remnant.

A method extracting of remnants of sign posts, said method comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a tool having:
• i. a shaft portion having a top and bottom end;
• ii. a sliding hammer mechanism connected to the top end of said shaft portion;
• and,
• iii. clamping means positioned at the bottom end of the shaft portion for securely engaging the sign post remnant;
• b. placing clamping means in a first relaxed position by pivoting the moveable clamping member toward the stationary clamping member by moving the handle portion in a direction away from the shaft;
• c. inserting the relaxed clamping means into the signpost remnant so that all of the pins on the guide member will engage the holes in the signpost remnant;
• d. biasing the moveable clamping member against the inside of the sign post remnant by moving the handle portion towards the shaft thereby causing the bearing portion to sit against inside surface of the signpost remnant and flexing the spring portion thereby forcing the guide member of the stationary clamping member into tight engagement with the signpost remnant for extraction;
• and,
• e. causing the sliding hammer mechanism imparts extraction forces through the shaft portion to the clamp means for extracting the signpost remnant.