Abstract:
A device for removing post id provided and includes a movably disposable base which is capable of disposal at least partially circumferentially about the planted post, a diametrically adjustable member connected to the base for securely gripping about the post, and aback connected to the gripping member for mechanically displacing the gripping member and in turn the fence post from the ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices used in cooperation with a jack to remove posts which are embedded in the ground. Posts are used for many applications, but may be for purposes herein can be of the type to support a fence. Over time, it is at many times necessary to remove them from the ground. 
     While prior devices for removing post are considered to be useful, often they are inconvenient to use, expensive to manufacture, and in some instances even dangerous to the individual using them. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved post remover, that is easy to transport, effective, simple to use and is safe. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Posts are commonly made of metal or wood, but may be of plastic or other material. A concrete footer is commonly employed to secure the post in the ground. Many times such posts are required to be removed. The removal of such post can be quite difficult. 
     Unsuccessful removal of a post by hand can result in a broken portion of the post and footer remaining secured in the ground. This necessitates digging around the footer to remove the concrete and attached post portion. 
     Further, posts come in a variety of cross-sectional shapes and diameters. The cross-section may be round or rectangular shaped, for example. Accordingly, prior post pulling tools are designed to remove a particular cross sectional shape. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,687 issued to Geckler discloses a device for removing a post with a “T” shaped cross-section which utilizes an engagement plate and a conventional jack. Similarly, the post pulling apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,377 issued to Pimented uses a square sleeve adapted to receive a square post and has similar limitations. These representative prior art devices are limited to removing posts with a certain cross sectional shape and therefore cannot be used for removing stakes with differing cross-sectional shapes or sizes. 
     Further, prior post pullers typically must be placed over the top of the post or post and brought down to the proper position before removal. This requires the user to remove nails or other obstructions before the device can be used. Such a requirement increases the overall time and work required. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device which can quickly remove a post with minimal effort. Further, there is a need for a post puller that can remove posts of varying cross-sectional sizes and shapes. There also remains a need for a post puller which can remove post with an attached concrete footer thereto. 
     While the above described devices have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences reveal advantages over the prior devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for removing post from the ground. 
     It is also an object of the invention to reduce the amount of work required to remove post from the ground. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post which can dislodge an embedded fence post by engaging any exposed location along the length of the fence post. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post that is easier and less costly to manufacture. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post that is compatible for use with a variety of jacks. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post that is adapted to engage posts of varying sizes and shapes. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can pull wood or metal posts from the ground without requiring the user to exchange engagement heads. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post that is capable of at least partially circumferentially disposing its base about the post and an attached concrete footer in a manner which enables an upward force on the post parallel with the position of the post to remove both the post and concrete. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a device for removing and transporting post of a variety of sizes and weights that is easy to use and easily operated by one person. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device for removing post which is durable in construction, compact and can be easily moved from place to place. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device for removing post which can be manufactured efficiently and reliably. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing a preferred embodiment of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     Accordingly, there is provided a device for removing post that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device for pulling a post from the ground includes a movably disposable base which is capable of disposal about the planted post, a diametrically adjustable member connected to the base for securely gripping about the post, and a jack connected to the gripping member for mechanically displacing the gripping member and in turn the fence post from the ground. The base is generally U-shaped having a pair of opposing arms and a transverse portion connecting said arms in hereby said arms are disposable on about the post. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective of the device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of base components of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in use 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a tool for aiding the device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, the device for pulling fence post or the of the present invention is a generally designated by the numeral  10 . The device includes a generally U-shaped base  12 . The base  12  includes a plate member  14  of steel, for can be of any suitable rigid material. The base  12  has a pair of opposing arms  16  and transverse portion  18 . 
     A pair of side plate members  20  which serve as upright side retaining members for the post P, which can also be steel, extend generally perpendicular to the base  12  and diagonally outward to form a V-shaped seat as seen in FIG. 2 which aid the transportation of the post P. The members  20  are fixed to the base  12  by welding. A pair of axle frame support members  22  can also be of steel and welded to base  12 . The members  22  are tapered or angled having an axle bearing open surface  24  formed therein. A tapered portion  25  serves to provide clearance needed to tilt the device  10  when moving the same. 
     An axle  26  extends through the bearing open surface  24 . Wheels  28  are attached to the axle  26 . Bores  30  extend through the ends of the axle  26  to receive lock pins  32 . By way of example, a vertical member  34 , which can be steel, is connected via weld to the base  12  and members  20 . The vertical member  34  can be steel tubing and of a predetermined height, say two feet to aid in leveraging the weight, transferring and transporting the post P. A universal sleeve neck  36  is connected, via welding for example, to the vertical member  34 . 
     An elongated vertical jack portion  38  extends from the sleeve  36  and serves as a track for a jack head  44 . The sleeve  36  can be such to accept a variety of vertical jack portion designs. The portion  38  includes a plurality of incrementally spaced surfaces  40  which terminate adjacent and upper capped end  42 . The head  44  includes a sleeve  46 , which slidably receives the vertical portion  38  therethrough. A ratchet arm  48  pivotally connects to the sleeve  46  to enable secure selective positioning of the sleeve  48  along the portion  38 . A handle  50  is attached to the arm  48  and is provided as an additional leverage tool to achieve greater raising force with minimal exertion. Also, attached to the sleeve  46  is head  52 . A chain  56  removably connects to the head  52  and is provided with a grab hook  58 . 
     The vertical member  34  has a horizontal bore  60  through which a bolt  62  extends. A foot  66  rests on the end of the bolt  62  and is for use in supporting the vertical member  34  when not connected to the sleeve  36 . When seated in the sleeve  36 , a bolt  68  extends through a bore  64  of the sleeve  36  and one of the lower spaced surfaces  40  to secure the jack portion  38  to the sleeve  36 . 
     The head is formed with a bore  69  through which a bolt  70  extends and is fixed by a nut  71 . The bolt  70  prevents a looped portion of the chain  56  as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 from passing over the end of the head  52 . The looped portion of the chain  56  is formed by connecting and end link of the chain  56  to another link by a bolt  72  and nut  73 . Another end of the chain  56  is connected to an opening  75  of the hook  58 . The hook  58  is configured with a slot  74  to enable it to be connected to another link in the chain  56  as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
     FIG. 4 depicts an eye bolt  76  and a plate  78  connected thereto at eyelet  79  which aid in removing broken post. Here, the bolt  76  screws into the remaining portion of the post. The plate  78  includes a keyed opening  80  for receiving the chain  56  therethrough in a fixed position. 
     The operation is as follows. The device  10  is configured to be wheeled over most terrain and disposed with its base  12  substantially encompassing an area in which the post P and a given amount of concrete disposed within the ground. The U-shaped base  12  is thus of a size such that the opening defined between the arms  16  and transverse portion  18  typically is large enough to enable the post P with an associated predetermined amount of concrete C to be pulled out of the ground G without having to disjoin the same. Once positioned, the chain  56  is wrapped about the post P and the hook  58  affixed to the head  52 , for example. The jack  44  is then operated to cause the sleeve  46 , head  52 , chain  56  and in turn the post P to be vertically displaced from its planted position. Note, in the case of the broken post, the bolt  76  and tool  78  can be used as described above. 
     The side members  20  form a seat or cradle for the post P and associated concrete C once pulled from the ground G so that when the device  10  is tilted for transport, the post P and concrete C is securely held in place until the same is at a desired position for disposal. 
     The above described embodiment is set forth by way of example and is not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations.