Ground Post Extracting Tool

The present disclosure provides a post extraction tool that is simply screwed into a hole drawn into a post that is already present into the ground. By screwing the extraction tool into the post, the components of the tool expand inside and clutch to the internal walls of the post, so that it is firmly fixed into the post. The extraction tool can, then, be simply hooked to an external pulling out equipment or machine, e.g., a tractor, a jack, etc. Thereafter, by applying a pulling force using the pulling out machine, the extraction tool is pulled, that in turn extracts the post out from the ground.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present disclosure is generally related to devices for extracting posts, fence posts, etc. from the ground. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an extraction tool for extracting a post out from the ground, without needing to dig through the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for houses to have wooden garden posts, wooden fence posts, wooden T-posts, or tree stumps, or other similar support structures dug into the house garden or other areas. Removing such posts can be quite a laborious work. Traditionally, there are tools such as soil digger, shovel, spades, garden forks, post bole diggers, post pullers, etc. that are used to dig around the area of the post, and pull out the post using conventional methods, e.g., using a jack, etc. Many times, a lot of surrounding area needs to be dug out in order to loosen the post and pull it out. Sometimes, the ground needs to be dug out till the entire length of the post, which can be too laborious and time taking. Such methods invest too much human power and time, and also pose danger to the operators.

Traditional methods to remove wooden posts normally includes a process to loosen the post from the surrounding area, ground, or concrete. Care must be taken while extracting the post, so that it does not snap or splinter. Such methods invest man power and good enough time to make sure everything is in place before beginning to extract the post. To loosen the ground around the post, generally surrounding soil is soaked in water by digging a trench around the post. Thereafter, conventional tools like nails, jack, etc. are needed to extract the post.

Other traditional methods may include wrapping a chain several times around the post, and securing the chain to a jack. Thereafter, using the jack to extract the post up and out of the ground.

As can be seen, these traditional methods are back-breaking, require a lot of laborious work, skills, energy, and time. Also, these methods may be unsafe, and are more prone to cause injuries to the operators.

Additionally, loosening and digging the ground around the post is a messy process, that ends up in dug up ground, scattered soil, breaking up of concrete ground, etc. Thus, such traditional methods may also require maintenance methods after extraction. Therefore, in such instances, the area from which the post is pulled out cannot be re-used instantly for putting into another post, without first levelling up the ground again, and doing other maintenance processes to keep the ground ready for inserting another post.

Hence, there is a need for a tool for extracting such posts from the ground, that requires less force, time, energy, and which is safe to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a post extraction tool, comprising at least one hook attachment, at least one rotating shaft connected to the at least hook attachment such that the at least one rotating shaft rotates with a rotation of the at least hook attachment, and at least one clawing shaft including at least two clawing components, wherein each of the at least two clawing components has a cylindrical flap like structure, that freely opens and closes, and is partially releasably attached to the at least one clawing shaft, and wherein the at least one clawing shaft is rotatably connected to the at least one rotating shaft, wherein the at least one clawing shaft is inserted into a hole in a post, and as the post extraction tool rotates using the at least one hook attachment, the at least one rotating shaft rotates that tightens the at least one clawing shaft inside the hole in the post, the cylindrical flap like structures of the at least two clawing components expand, open up, and clutch firmly, under pressure, from internal of the hole in the post, and the post is extracted out by applying an external pulling force at the at least one hook attachment.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a post extraction tool, comprising at least one rotating shaft, and at least one clawing shaft including at least two clawing components, wherein each of the at least two clawing components has a cylindrical flap like structure, that freely opens and closes, and is partially releasably attached to the at least one clawing shaft, wherein the at least one clawing shaft is rotatably connected to the at least one rotating shaft, and wherein the at least two clawing components are aligned opposite to each other in a vertical axis along the length of the post extraction tool, such that an end with the cylindrical flap like structure of one clawing component, of the at least two clawing components, faces an end with the cylindrical flap like structure of the other clawing component, and wherein the at least one clawing shaft is inserted into a hole in a post, and the post extraction tool rotates by rotating the at least one rotating shaft that further rotates and tightens the at least one clawing shaft inside the hole in the post, the cylindrical flap like structures of the at least two clawing components expand, open up, and clutch firmly, under pressure, from internal of the hole in the post, and the post is extracted out by applying an external pulling force at the post extraction tool.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a post extraction tool, comprising at least one rotating shaft, and at least one clawing shaft including at least two clawing components, wherein each of the at least two clawing components has a cylindrical flap like structure, that freely opens and closes, and is partially releasably attached to the at least one clawing shaft, wherein the at least one clawing shaft is rotatably connected to the at least one rotating shaft, and wherein the at least two clawing components are aligned with each other in a vertical axis along the length of the post extraction tool, such that one end with the cylindrical flap like structure of one clawing component faces the other end of the cylindrical flap like structure of the other clawing component, and wherein the at least one clawing shaft is inserted into a hole in a post, and the post extraction tool rotates by rotating the at least one rotating shaft that further rotates and tightens the at least one clawing shaft inside the hole in the post, the cylindrical flap like structures of the at least two clawing components expand, open up, and clutch firmly, under pressure, from internal of the hole in the post, and the post is extracted out by applying an external pulling force at the post extraction tool.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least two sets of supporting nuts situated on top and bottom of the at least one clawing shaft, and supporting the at least one clawing shaft.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes that the at least one clawing shaft is a spring-loaded rod, the spring-loaded rod including a rod with a spring wound around the rod, wherein the spring supports top and bottom portions of the at least two clawing components when the at least one clawing shaft is inserted into the hole in the post, and the at least two clawing components expand, open up, and clutch firmly, under pressure, the internal of the hole in the post.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotating shaft has a threaded screw like outer surface and the rod of the at least one clawing shaft has a threaded screw like outer surface to support the spring wound around it.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotating shaft and the at least one clawing shaft are one integrated shaft, wherein the integrated shaft has the at least two clawing components attached to a partial lower portion of the integrated shaft.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotating shaft and the at least one clawing shaft are two separate shafts that are rotatably connected to each other.

In an embodiment, the at least one hook attachment, the at least one rotating shaft, and the at least one clawing shaft rotate together in one direction for tightening or loosening the post extraction tool inside the hole in the post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, processes and components may be shown in simple line diagram forms in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

The present disclosure provides a post extraction tool for extracting posts out from the ground. The posts may be of wooden, concrete, or any other material, and dug into a ground of soil, concrete, etc. The extraction tool is simple in design with minimum working components, extremely portable, easy and quick to use, and requires minimum manpower. The extraction tool is also safe to use.

In general, the extraction tool of the present disclosure may simply need to be screwed into a post that is already put into the ground. By screwing the extraction tool into the post, the tool expands inside and clutches to the internal walls of the post, so that it is firmly fixed into the post. The extraction tool can, then, be simply hooked to an external pulling out equipment or machine, e.g., a tractor, a jack, etc. Thereafter, by applying a pulling force using the pulling out machine, the extraction tool is pulled, that in turn extracts the post out from the ground. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the extraction tool has an appropriate length to at least partially and sufficiently insert it into the post such that the tool is firmly fixed into the post and the post is safe to be pulled out via the fixed extraction tool, without splintering or snapping the post.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference toFIGS.1-6.

Referring toFIGS.1-6, the extraction tool100may comprise at least the following components: at least one hook attachment102, at least one rotating shaft or a first shaft104connected to the hook attachment102, at least one clawing shaft or a second shaft108with at least two clawing components110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The rotating shaft104is rotatable using the hook attachment102. In an embodiment, rotating shaft104may have a threaded surface that may act like a threaded screw. As can also be seen from representation200inFIG.2, the clawing shaft or the second shaft108, which is further connected to the rotating shaft104, may have at least two clawing components110. Each clawing component110may have a cylindrical flap/wing like structure, that opens and closes. The clawing components110act like a spreader or an expander, that spreads their cylindrical flaps or wings when the rotating shaft104is rotated. In an embodiment, the clawing components110are aligned opposite to each other in a vertical axis along the length of the extraction tool100, such that the opening/closing flap end of each clawing component110faces the other (referring to exemplary representations200inFIGS.2and300inFIG.3). In another embodiment, the clawing components110are aligned with each other in a vertical axis along the length of the extraction tool100, such that the opening/closing flap end of one clawing component110faces the other end of the clawing component110.

In exemplary representations400and400A inFIGS.4and4A, the clawing shaft108includes a spring-loaded internal rod402. The internal rod402may be wound around with a spring404, as shown. The spring404keeps the top and bottom portions of the clawing components110in line so the extraction tool100can be properly inserted into a drilled hole in a post. In an embodiment, the internal rod402may have external threads to support the wound spring404. As the hook attachment102is rotated by a user, the internal rod402may dig into the drilled hole in the post and expand the clawing components110, while the spring404supports the top and bottom portions of the clawing components110as they are inserted into the post under pressure.

As the rotating shaft104is rotated using the hook attachment102, the rod402of the clawing shaft108digs into the post, and the flaps of the clawing components110expand, which means they fly open and close along with being rotated. In an embodiment, the design and shape of the clawing components110should be such that when their flaps close, their shape and design conform to each other, without being overlapped.

It may be understood that the clawing shaft108is also rotatably connected to the rotating shaft104. Also, it may be understood that the hook attachment102, the rotating shaft104, and the clawing shaft108rotate together in one direction, for tightening or loosening the tool100. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the extraction tool100may have different rotations aligned for different components, including the hook attachment102, the rotating shaft104, and the clawing shaft108, without being deviated from the meaning and scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the rotating shaft104and the clawing shaft108are one integrated shaft, which has the clawing components110releasably attached to the partial lower portion of the integrated shaft. In another embodiment, the rotating shaft104and the clawing shaft108are two separate shafts that are rotatably connected to each other.

In an embodiment, the rotating shaft104has a smaller diameter than the clawing shaft108. In another embodiment, the rotating shaft104has the same diameter as that of the clawing shaft108.

In an embodiment, the clawing shaft108may have internal threaded rod402, over which the clawing components110are releasably attached. In another embodiment, the clawing shaft108may have an internal shaft, over which the clawing components110are releasably attached.

Further, in an embodiment, the extraction tool100may also have at least two sets of supporting nuts106and112. The supporting nuts106and112are situated on top and bottom of the clawing shaft108, and support the clawing shaft108.

In a simple exemplary extraction operation, referring to representations500and600ofFIGS.5and6, for removing a post602that is dug into the ground, first, a hole is drilled or drawn into the post along the length of the post602. A conventional drilling machine may be used for this purpose. Then, the clawing shaft108of the extraction tool100is inserted into the hole in the post602. The extraction tool100is sufficiently inserted into the post602, such that the clawing shaft108is all slipped into the hole in the post602, as shown by exemplary diagram500inFIG.5. During this movement, the clawing components110may be under pressure, and the spring404thus can help in providing support to the top and bottom portions of the clawing components110. The operator, then, rotates the rotating shaft104using the hook attachment102, that in turns rotates the spring404loaded internal rod402of the clawing shaft108inside the hole in the post602. As the rotating shaft104rotates, the clawing components110expand and tightens into the hole in the post602. This means, when the rotating shaft104is rotated, the flaps of the clawing components110expand, open up, and clutch firmly the internal of the hole in the post602. Thereby, the clawing shaft108is firmly attached to the internal of the hole of post602, and hence, to the post602. More the extraction tool100is rotated, more firmly the clawing components110clutch the internal of the post602, and the extraction tool100is tightened.

Thereafter, an external pulling machine/equipment is detachably attached to the hook attachment102. The external pulling machine applies a pulling force on the hook attachment102, that in turn pulls the whole post602out of the ground, as shown partially by exemplary diagram600inFIG.6. In an embodiment, the external pulling machine/equipment may be a tractor504, a jack, or any other machine that can apply a sufficient pulling force on the extraction tool100. As shown in FIG. S, an external hook502is attached to the hook attachment102, and the external hook502is tied to the tractor $04. InFIG.6, the tractor504applies a pulling force on the external hook502that pulls out the post602.

After the post602is extracted out, a new post can be put into the same hole in the ground from where the previous post602is extracted, because the operation implemented by the extraction tool100in present disclosure does not destroy the ground, and hence, no maintenance of the ground after extraction process is required.

Hence, advantageously, a tool for extracting a post out from the ground is provided that requires less force, time, and energy. The extraction tool is safe to use. Also, the extraction tool is easy to handle, quick to use, and does not require too much human force.

The design and implementation of the extraction tool is such that it provides a clean extraction process to extract a post out from the ground, such that the ground area from which the post is extracted out, can be reused as soon as possible, with zero to minimum ground maintenance requirement.

A simple and light in weight to carry design is provided for the extraction tool. The simple design of the extraction tool includes simple and minimum number of design components, and requires simple manufacturing process.

It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered exemplary only. Though the present disclosure includes examples from wooden posts, fence posts, ground posts, dug into the ground of soil or concrete, the extracting tool disclosed herein may be employed for various applications as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The references to devices and structures used here are intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of the present disclosure.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.