Device for removing metal fence posts

The present application discloses a fence post remover for use in connection with a "T"-shaped post. A bracket engages the edge of the web of the fence post. A clevice is placed over the fence post and around the "T"-shape of the fence post until it engages the front face, the seam, or the teeth of the fence post. A "U"-shaped brace is attached to a corner of the bracket to engage the web of the fence post. The clevice and the bracket are pinned together. A ring is provided to receive the pulling force such that when the ring is pulled upwardly, the portion of the clevice proximate to the face of the fence post is pulled inwardly toward the fence post while at the same time the "U"-shaped brace is also pulled toward the fence post thereby taking advantage of the pulling force to provide a better grip on the fence post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to a force application device and 
more particularly to a device for removing posts from their support base 
and specifically for removing from the ground metal fence posts that have 
been driven into the ground for stability. 
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the most popular 
type of man-made fence post is a metal (preferably steel) post having a 
cross section that is "T"-shaped. This fence post has a web joined 
approximately perpendicularly to two flanges to form the "T". The flanges 
come together to form a face on the side distal from the web. On the face, 
there is usually a seam and/or teeth. The web wire fencing is strung by 
attaching the wire to the seams or teeth of the posts. 
As fences are moved or removed, a need arises to pull up the posts that 
have been driven into the ground for stability. This can generally be 
accomplished efficiently only with some mechanical aid. To this end, there 
have been several attempts to provide such a device. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,687 issued on Oct. 2, 1973, discloses a post pulling 
apparatus which has two plates having a "T"-shaped hole. The plates are 
placed over the fence post and a chain is attached to the ends of the 
plates so that the plates are pulled toward each other thereby causing 
friction against the post. The chain is then pulled upwardly using a 
pulling force such as a three point hitch. Unfortunately, this device 
requires the use of some type of mechanical pulling force such as three 
point hitch and can not be used by the individual with anything as simple 
as a lever. Further, in order to get good friction, the holes in the 
plates must be very small thereby decreasing the flexibility to be used 
with varying types and sizes of "T"-shaped fence. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,601 to Boardman discloses a fence post remover. In 
order to use the Boardman device, a hook or a pipe must be placed through 
a hole of limited size thereby making it difficult to use. This limited 
opening can be difficult to use if, as in wooded areas, the area against 
which the lever can be placed is very limited by trees, bushes, and rocks. 
Further, if the hook portion of the Boardman device is used, the same 
limitation occurs. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,310 issued to Parker on Jul. 17, 1979, discloses a 
fence post puller that includes a lever and a fulcrum which is attached to 
a device which is substantially square. This device does not have the 
flexibility to be capable of use in connection with a three point hitch. 
Further, if it is manually used, it is difficult to carry around as the 
fulcrum adds additional weight. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,321 issued to Ekern on Dec. 27, 1983, discloses a 
U-shaped bracket which is attached to a chain. The U-shaped bracket is 
placed over the fence and then a pin is placed through it to engage the 
"T" of the fence post. However, the pin can easily roll upwardly along the 
slot thereby disengaging from the teeth. Therefore, instead of using the 
force to assist the friction fit, the force will actually decrease the 
friction. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,565 issued to J. Keller on Feb. 23, 1988, discloses a 
fence puller which is very similar to and has all the same limitations of 
the Parker reference discussed above. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,433 issued to Hoff on Apr. 19, 1988, has the same 
limitations as the Parker referenced above. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,120 issued to R. Egaas on Dec. 20, 1988, is used in 
connection with a fence post having a different shape. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,117 issued to Youngblood, et al on Apr. 30, 1991, 
discloses a post puller. This post puller is essentially a "U" shaped 
clamp that fits on the front and rear of the post but fails to fully take 
advantage of the mechanical pulling force. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,659 issued to S. Bates on Oct. 1, 1991, discloses a 
stake puller that is very complex in nature. It is not intended for use 
with a "T"-shaped fence post and therefore does not take advantage of the 
unique shape of the "T"-shaped fence post. 
What is needed, then, is a fence post puller which can take advantage of 
the upward pulling force. This fence post puller must have sufficient 
universality to be used with both a lever as well as other mechanical 
forces such as a tractor with a three point hitch. This device for 
removing posts is presently lacking in the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present application discloses a fence post remover for use in 
connection with a "T"-shaped post. A bracket engages the edge of the web 
of the fence post. A clevice is placed over the fence post and around the 
"T"-shape of the fence post until it engages the front face, the seam, or 
the teeth of the fence post. A "U"-shaped brace is attached to a corner of 
the bracket to engage the web of the fence post. The clevice and the 
bracket are pinned together. A ring is provided to receive the pulling 
force such that when the ring is pulled upwardly, the portion of the 
clevice proximate to the face of the fence post is pulled inwardly toward 
the fence post while at the same time the "U"-shaped brace is also pulled 
toward the fence post thereby taking advantage of the pulling force to 
provide a better grip on the fence post. 
One object of the present invention is to provide a device for pulling 
fence posts. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which 
directs the upwardly pulling force to provide a better grip on the fence 
post. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device 
which can be used either with a lever so that the individual may use it by 
with a lever or with a three point hitch. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a simple 
device which requires limited space for its use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown generally at 10 the device for 
removing metal fence posts. In FIG. 1, device 10 is shown to engage fence 
post 12. In the preferred embodiment, the device 10 is designed for use in 
connection with the pulling of fence post 12 that is a "T"-shaped post. 
This "T"-shaped post 12 has web 14 attached substantially perpendicularly 
to flanges 16 to form a "T". Web 14 has edge 22 which is distal from 
flanges 16. Flanges 16, on face 24 distal from web 14, usually has seam 18 
and teeth 20. FIG. 1 shows post 12 in ground 26. Device 10 has bracket 28 
which is, in the preferred embodiment, substantially triangular having 
first corner 52, second corner 54, third corner 56, first side 58, second 
side 60, and third side 62. Third side 62 of bracket 28 is placed against 
edge 22 of web 14. Opening 64 is placed through bracket 28 proximate to 
first corner 52. Hole 36 is placed through bracket 28 proximate to second 
comer 54. 
Brace 32 is substantially "U"-shaped in cross-section and attached to third 
corner 56. In the preferred embodiment, the U-shaped cavity of brace 32 
surrounds edge 22 of flanges 16. Clevice 30 has distal section 42, 
proximal section 43, and loop section 40. Loop section 40 is placed over 
flanges 16 such that proximal section 43 comes close to and eventually 
contacts either face 24, seam 18, and/or teeth 20. Clevice 30, proximate 
to distal section 42, has orifice 38. In the preferred embodiment, pin 34 
passes through orifice 38 and hole 36 to pivotally attach clevice 30 and 
bracket 28. In the preferred embodiment, ring 44 is attached to bracket 28 
through opening 64. 
When device 10 is placed on fence post 12 at the desired point, hook 46 is 
attached to ring 44. Hook 46 also is attached to chain 48. Lever 50 is 
placed through chain 48 until end of lever 50 contacts ground 26. User can 
then pull up the end of lever 50 away from ground 26 to pull fence post 12 
out of ground. As pulling force or upward force is applied to ring 44, 
proximal section 43 tightens against face 24, teeth 20, or seam 18 to 
provide a more secure frictional fit against post 12. Similarly, as 
pulling force is applied against ring 44, brace 32 is forced in toward and 
against edge 22 thereby providing a greater frictional fit. These two 
actions created by pivotally attaching clevice 30 and bracket 28 prevent 
device 10 from slipping upwardly. 
Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown generally at 10 the device of the 
present invention as it is about to be placed over fence post 12. As can 
be seen, brace 32 travels along edge 22 of fence post 12 as does third 
side 62. If for some reason, bracket 28 flips downwardly in the view shown 
in FIG. 2, cut-out 66 allows bracket 28 to be placed back into place 
without running into edge 22. Clevice 30 is then placed over fence post 
12. Proximal section 43 passes along and over teeth 20 until the desired 
point along fence post 12 is reached. Pulling force is applied to ring 44 
which causes brace 32 to approach edge 22 and proximal section 43 to 
approach either seam 18 or face 24. 
Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown generally at 10 still another view 
of the present invention. In this view, it can be seen how loop section 40 
of clevice 30 passes over and around flanges 16 and how proximal section 
43 engages teeth 20. 
The discussion of FIG. 1 shows that pulling force could be a lever. This is 
the simplest application and takes up the least amount of room. However, 
pulling force can also be from a crane or a tractor having a three point 
hitch. If either of these mechanical versions is used, hook 46 is merely 
attached to a chain which is attached to either the cringe or the three 
point hitch. In certain instances, such as when using a crane, the crane 
already has a hook which then engages ring 44. 
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the 
present invention of a new and useful device for removing posts, it is not 
intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope 
of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.