Abstract:
A device for lifting a post out of the ground, including a part for engaging the post and an elongate body having a handle for applying a lever action to the part in order to lift the post from the ground, wherein the part is coupled to a stand and the stand is moveable relative to the body from a stowed condition to a deployed condition whereat the body is pivotally supported above the ground for rotation about the stand in order to effect the lever action.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a post handling device for the insertion and removal of posts such as star pickets, T-posts or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Post handling devices may be used to both insert and remove a post from the ground. One such example of a post handling device is disclosed in WO2007/022577 which describes a post handling assembly including a main body with an integral post drive means for impacting and driving a post into the ground, and a post extraction means for extracting a post from the ground. The post extraction means including a post grip assembly operatively connected to the main body, the post extraction means being adapted to move between a deployed position and a stowed position within the main body. 
         [0003]    To drive a post into the ground the post extraction means is moved to the stowed position and integral post drive means is engaged with the post by inserting the post into a first end of the device. The device is then raised and lowered in a hammer like action to drive the post into the ground. 
         [0004]    To remove the post, the post grip assembly is moved to the deployed position. The device is then held with the first end raised and a second end of the device lowered so as to move the post grip assembly into engagement with the post. The second end of the device is provided with integral shoulders adjacent the post grip assembly which in use bear against the ground so as to provide a fulcrum and a base. As such, when a user applies an appropriate force to the first end of the device the device rotates about the shoulders to leverage the post out of the ground. 
         [0005]    A disadvantage of this configuration is that the integral shoulders provide only a short distance between the post grip assembly and the ground. As such, the fulcrum point is close to or on the ground and accordingly the rotation of the main body about the fulcrum is limited by the ground surface. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, the integral shoulders have a tendency to slide on the ground when in use which may make the removal of a post difficult and/or cause the shoulders to dig into the ground surface. As such, the integral shoulders are difficult to configure so as to provide a large and/or stable base. 
         [0007]    A further disadvantage of this configuration is that, in use, there is a relatively large distance between the fulcrum point, where the shoulders engage with the ground, and the post. As such, the post grip assembly needs to be relatively long to extend between the main body and the post. A still further disadvantage of this configuration is that the integral shoulders are not movable relative to the main body. 
         [0008]    The invention disclosed herein seeks to ameliorate at least some of these identified disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In a first aspect there is provided a device for lifting a post out of the ground, including a part for engaging the post and an elongate body having a handle for applying a lever action to the part in order to lift the post from the ground, wherein the part is coupled to a stand and the stand is moveable relative to the body from a stowed condition to a deployed condition whereat the body is pivotally supported above the ground for rotation about the stand in order to effect the lever action. 
         [0010]    In one form, the stand is connected to a carriage which is slidable lengthwise of the body. 
         [0011]    In one form, the stand is formed of a base coupled to the carriage by arms which extend either side of the carriage. 
         [0012]    In one form, the part is connected to the carriage by a pivotal linkage which allows articulated movement of the part relative to the stand. 
         [0013]    In one form, the part and pivotal linkage are dimensioned to nest between the arms when the stand is in the stowed position. 
         [0014]    In one form, the body has a hollow interior arranged to receive the carriage. 
         [0015]    In one form, the body has an open end adapted to fit with the base of the stand. 
         [0016]    In one form, the carriage is moveable between a first position within the body, when the stand is in the stowed condition, and a second position at the opening, to allow connection of the part to the post, when the stand is in the deployed condition. 
         [0017]    In one form, the arms of the stand are external of the body and are connected to the carriage through elongate slots which extend from the open end, lengthwise of the body. 
         [0018]    In one form, the elongate body includes external guide tracks arranged either side of the slots, to engage the arms and guide the stand into the stowed condition. 
         [0019]    In one form, the device further includes a lock to releasably secure the carriage in the first position within the body. 
         [0020]    In one form, the lock is in the form of a clamp to engage with an axle of a pivot connection, which couples the stand to the carriage. 
         [0021]    In one form, the device further includes a retainer to releasably secure the carriage in the second position, in which the stand is in the deployed condition, to assist in holding the body on the stand in an elevated position relative to the ground. 
         [0022]    In another aspect there is provided, a post handling device including a main body having a handle portion and a support element operatively coupled to the main body, wherein the support element is movable between a stowed position and deployed position in which the support element is extended relative to the body to operatively support the main body above a ground surface. 
         [0023]    In one form, the support element includes a stem and a base portion, the stem projecting from the base portion and being pivotally coupled to the main body so as to allow for relative pivotal movement between the main body and the support element when in at least the deployed position. 
         [0024]    In one form, the main body is elongate and includes a housing configured to at least partially receive the support element in the stowed position. 
         [0025]    In one form, the post handling device further includes a post grip assembly adapted for engaging with a post, the post grip assembly being operatively coupled to at least one of the main body and the support element. 
         [0026]    In one form, in the deployed position the support element is configured to operatively support the post grip assembly in a raised position relative to a ground surface. 
         [0027]    In one form, the post grip assembly is configured to be at least partially received by at least one of the main body and the support element in a retracted position and is moveable to an extended position so as to be able to engage with the post. 
         [0028]    In one form, the post grip assembly is at least partially received by the housing when in the retracted position. 
         [0029]    In one form, the housing includes a slot which receives a pin associated with at least one of the support element and post grip assembly, the slot and pin providing a slidable coupling to guide at least one of the support element and post grip assembly between the respective stowed and deployed position and the retracted and extended position. 
         [0030]    In one form, the post grip assembly includes a carriage adapted to slide within the housing and a post engaging part pivotally coupled to the carriage. 
         [0031]    In one form, the carriage is configured to at least partially resist movement of the support element between the stowed and deployed positions. 
         [0032]    In one form, the stem is configured to provide a recess into which at least a portion of the post grip assembly is able to nest when in the retracted position. 
         [0033]    In one form, the main body includes a hollow into which a post is able be inserted and a striker plate blinding the hollow for impacting and driving the post into a ground surface. 
         [0034]    In still another aspect there is provided, a method of removing a post using the post handling device as described above, the method including the steps of the moving the support element and post grip assembly to the respective deployed and extended positions, placing the base portion onto a ground surface, moving the post grip assembly into engagement with the post and applying a force to the handle portion so to leverage the post out of the ground. 
         [0035]    In yet another aspect there is provided, a method of inserting a post using the post handling device as described above, the method including the steps of placing a first end of a post against a ground surface, placing the hollow over a second end of the post so that the post is inserted within the hollow, clasping the handle portion and raising and lowering the device in a hammer like action to drive the post into the ground surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating the device with a support element in a deployed position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the device with the support element in a stowed position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the device with the support element in a stowed position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the device with the support element in the deployed position and a post grip assembly in an extended position coupled to a post; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is an exploded parts view of the support element in the deployed position and the post grip assembly in the extended position coupled to the post; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the post grip assembly; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of another example of the device including a retaining arrangement fitted to a housing of the device, the support element being retained by the retaining arrangement in the stowed position; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 7  with the support element being retained by retaining arrangement in the deployed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is shown a post handling device  1  for lifting a post  15  out of the ground. The device  1  including a main elongate body  2  with a handle portion  3  adapted to be clasped and a support element or stand  4  operatively coupled to a first end  6  of the body  2 . The support element or stand  4  is movable between a stowed condition or position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to a deployed condition or position as shown in  FIG. 1 , extended relative to the body  2  such that the support element or stand  4  is able to engage with a ground surface to support the main elongate body  2  above the ground surface. 
         [0046]    The handle portion  3  includes moulded bars  19  which proceed along each side of a central portion  7  of the elongate body  2 . These moulded bars  19  may be formed integrally or otherwise with the central portion  7 . Preferably, these moulded bars  19  are formed of a plastics material or other material with low electrical conductivity to assist to prevent possible electric shock or electrocution of a user clasping the bars. 
         [0047]    The central portion  7  is formed by moulding, a preferably plastics based material with low electrical conductivity, around an elongate skeleton assembly  27 . Preferably, the skeleton assembly  27  is formed of a metal, however it is envisaged other suitable materials could also be used. The central portion  7  includes a housing  13  adjacent the first end  6  and a hollow  8  at a second end  9 . 
         [0048]    The housing  13  is configured to at least partially the receive the support element or stand  4  in the stowed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The support element or stand  4 , includes a stem  10  with spaced part arms  20  projecting from a base portion  5  which is adapted to engage with the ground or other suitable surface. The arms of the stem  10  are pivotally coupled by a first pivot  12  to the elongate body  2  so as to allow pivotal movement of the elongate body  2  relative to the support element or stand  4  when in at least the deployed position. 
         [0049]    In this example, the base potion  5  is the form of a rectangular plastic footing moulded around a preferably metal frame the upper portion of which provides the stem  10 . The sides of the base portion  5  are chamfered inwardly to meet the stem  10 , such that when the support element or stand  4  is in the stowed position the base portion  5  resides immediately adjacent the first end  6  of the elongate body  2 . 
         [0050]    The device  1  further includes a post grip assembly  14  with a post engaging part  16  adapted for engaging with a post  15  and a carriage  17  which is slidably received within the housing  13 . The carriage  17  is coupled to the stem  10  at the first pivot  12  and the post engaging part  16  at a second pivot  18 . Accordingly, the support element  4  and the post grip assembly  14  are interconnected for operable movement. As such, when the support element  4  is moved to the stowed position the post grip assembly  14  is moved therewith to a retracted position. Similarly, when the support element  4  is moved to the deployed position, the post grip assembly  14  is drawn therewith to an extended position. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the hollow  8  of the central portion  7  includes an open end  36  at the second end  9  into which a post, similar to post  15  is able to be inserted. The central portion  7  includes striker plate  47 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , generally located between the junction of the hollow  8  and the housing  13 . Preferably, the striker plate  47  is formed as part of the skeleton assembly  27  to endure, when in use, the repeated impact against the post when driving the post into a ground surface. 
         [0052]    The two spaced apart arms  20  of the stem  10  define a recess  21  into which the post grip assembly  14  is able to nest at least when in the retracted position. The housing  13  includes elongate slots  22  on opposing sides which receive a pin  23  of the first pivot point  12 . The pin  23  is slidable within the slots  22  to provide a slidable coupling  24  to guide the pin  23  and hence the carriage  17 , the support element  4  and the post grip assembly  14  between the stowed and deployed position, in respect of the support element  4 , and the retracted and extended position, in respect of the post grip assembly  14 . 
         [0053]    When moving the support element  4  towards the stowed position the post engaging part  16  may be pivoted about second pivot  18  so as to be received within the recess  21 . Accordingly, the support element  4  with the now nested post engaging part  16  may then slide within the coupling  24  to the stowed position. 
         [0054]    The arms  20  are laterally spaced apart to receive the housing  13  between the arms  20  and carriage  17 . The outside faces  26  of the housing  13  each include two apart elongate ridges  41  which form tracks  25  to guide the spaced apart arms  20  into an alignment suitable for the stowed position. The tracks  25  also prevent the support element  4  from pivoting about the first pivot point  12  when in the stowed position. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the post engaging part  16  includes a generally ‘U’ shaped cross section  28  where the inner surfaces of the cross section  28  are used as the engaging surfaces  29  that engage with the post  15 . In use, when the support element  4  is in the deployed position and the post grip assembly is extended, the second pivot  18  facilitates movement between the post engaging part  16  and the elongate body  2 , carriage  17  and the support element  4 . This relative movement allows the post engaging surfaces  29  to move into frictional engagement with the post  15  so as to grip the post  15 . More particularly, the ‘U’ shaped cross section  28  is able to pivot such that when the elongate body  2  is downwardly actuated the ‘U’ shaped cross section  28  is rotated such the engaging surface  29  closest to the second pivot  18  moves upwardly in inwardly whist the opposing engaging surface  21  moves downwardly and inwardly. This rotation and movement provides a friction engagement of the opposing engaging surfaces  29  with the post  15  so as to grip the post  15 . 
         [0056]    In another form, the post engaging part  16  may be adapted to engage with a T-post. For example, the post engaging part  16  may include a horizontal bar that is configured to engage with protruding cleats that are generally present on the vertical sides of a T-post. In other forms, the post engaging part  16  may include movable jaws which are able to clamp onto a post. As such it is envisaged that there are many possible configurations for the post engaging part  16  depending on the size, shape and material of construction of a post. 
         [0057]    In the deployed position, first pivot  12  of the support element  4  provides a fulcrum about which the elongate body  2  is downwardly actuated to apply an upward force on the post  15  engaged in use with the post engaging part  16 . During this action, the resultant forces between post  15  and the post engaging part  16  will tend to draw the post engaging part outwardly from the housing  13  towards the extended position. However, the upward force applied to the post  15  and the generally downward force applied to the elongate body, will tend to push the support element  4  inwardly into the housing  13  towards the stowed position. Advantageously, as the support element  4  and the post engaging part  16  are both connected to the carriage  17 , the inward and outward forces on the support element  4  and the post engaging part  16  are at least partially counter balanced. This assists to maintain the support element  4  in the deployed position and the post grip assembly  14  in the extended position. 
         [0058]    Furthermore, when the elongate body  2  is downwardly actuated when removing the post  15 , the moment arm between the first pivot  12  and second pivot  18  at least partially contributes to a resultant moment on the carriage  17 . As the carriage  17  is retained within the housing  13  this moment or rotation of the carriage  17  is restrained by the housing,  13  which results in a frictional engagement of the carriage  17  and the housing  13 . This frictional engagement also assists to retain the carriage  17  so the support element  4  is retained in the deployed position and the post grip assembly  14  in the extended position. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the housing  13  includes a lock provided in the form of a clamp or clip  30  held in place by a pin  31 , the clip  30  having a bore  33  through which the pin  31  is received. The pin  31  is secured to the side walls of the housing  13  by corresponding bores  33  on the side walls of the housing  13 . The clip  30  has two opposing protruding lips  34  which are biased towards one another so that the clip  30  is able to receive and retain the cylindrical body of the first pivot  12  when the support element  4  is in the stowed position. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the carriage  17  is formed from two spaced apart metal plates  37  which are interconnected by the first pivot  12 . The carriage  17  has a first end  38  with corresponding bores  40  to interconnect with and support the second pivot  18  and a second end  39  with cut outs  35 . Advantageously, the carriage  17  provides centralised support for both the first pivot  12  and the second pivot  18 . This arrangement allows the support element  4 , the post engaging part  16  and the elongate body  2  to be able to move relative to one another which has at least the advantages of maneuvering the post engaging part  16  into engagement with the post  15  when in use, and pivoting the post engaging part  16  and the support element  4  into alignment with the housing  13  for movement to the stowed position. 
         [0061]    Accordingly, the clip  30  assists to retain the carriage  17  hence the support element  4  in the stowed position. Furthermore, the cut outs  35  are arranged to at least partially receive a pin  31  when in the stowed position to assist to prevent the carriage  17  from movement with the housing  13 . Advantageously, the above descried arrangement allows the support element  4  and the post grip assembly  14  to be securely stowed so that the post handling device  1  can also be used as a post driver for impacting and driving a post into the ground. 
         [0062]    Referring  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown a further example of the device  1  having a retaining arrangement  42  fitted within the housing  13 . The retaining arrangement  42  includes protrusions  46  intermediate its ends which receivably engage with corresponding lugs  48  on the walls of the housing  13  to fix the retaining arrangement  42  to the housing  13 . 
         [0063]    The retaining arrangement  42  includes an outer resilient ramp section  43  and an inner resilient ramp section  44  which each project inwardly of the housing  13  so as to provide a resiliently constricted throat section at each end of the housing  13 . These resiliently constricted throat sections provided by the respective ramp sections  43 ,  44  are sized to retain the carnage  17  of the post grip assembly  14  in extended or retracted positions. Due to the above described coupling between the support element or stand  4  and the carriage  17 , the retaining of the carriage  17  in the extended position retains the support element or stand  4  in the deployed position and the retaining of the carriage  17  in the retracted position, retains the support element or stand  4  in the stowed position. 
         [0064]    More particularly, in this example the carriage  17  includes a flange  45  which when moved over the resilient ramp sections  43  and  44  becomes retained or reversibly locked by the resilient ramp sections  43  and  44  to retain the carriage  17  in either the extended or retracted position. Moreover, each ramp section  43 ,  44  includes ramps which have a generally saw toothed shape and are arranged in opposing direction to one another so as to allow the carriage  17  to easily proceed from a position between either of the ramp sections  43 ,  44  and move over a respective one of the ramp sections  43 ,  44  to become retained by the respective ramp sections  43 ,  44  in one of the extended or retracted positions. 
         [0065]    The generally saw tooth shape of the ramps of the ramp sections  43 ,  44  assists to retain the carriage  17  in the extended or retracted positions. The ramp sections  43 ,  44  are sufficiently resilient, for example being formed from a plastic or thin sheet metal, to allow the flange  45  of the carriage  17  to proceed against the saw tooth shape of the ramps, by resiliently flexing the plastic or thin sheet metal, of the ramp sections  43 ,  44  and accordingly allow the carriage to be moved between the extended or retracted positions and the support element or stand  4  to be moved between the deployed and retracted position. 
         [0066]    As may be appreciated from the above, in the example shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the clip  30  may be replaced by the retaining arrangement  42  which allows the carriage  17  to be retained or locked in extended or retracted position. 
         [0067]    In another aspect, a method of using the post removing device as descried above may be as follows. To remove a post, such as post  15 , the method preferably includes the steps of the moving support element  4  and the post grip assembly  14  to the respective deployed and extended positions. The base portion  5  is than placed onto a ground surface near to where the post  15  meets the ground surface. The post engaging part  16  of the post grip assembly  14  is then moved into engagement with the post  15  and a generally downward lever force is applied to the handle portion  3  so to leverage to the post  15  out of the ground. 
         [0068]    When the post handling device is used to inert a post into the ground, the method of using the device may include the steps of placing a first end of the post  15  against a ground surface, placing the hollow  8  over a second end of the post so that the post  15  is inserted within the hollow  8 , clasping the handle portion  3  and raising and lowering the device  1  in a hammer like action to drive the post into the ground surface. When used as a post driver, the support element  4  is moved to the stowed position and accordingly the post grip assembly  14  is in the retracted position. 
         [0069]    The above described invention describes an example of a post handling device that may be used for both the insertion and removal of a post. Advantageously, the post handling device  1  is able to be moved between first condition with the supporting element  4  deployed and the post grip assembly  14  extended, where the device  1  can be used to remove a post  15  from the ground, and second condition most suitable for driving a post into the ground where the support element  4  is in a stowed position and the post grip assembly  14  in a retracted position neatly retained at least partially within the housing  13  of the elongate body  13 . 
         [0070]    In particular, the supporting element or stand  4  is able to support the elongate body  2  in a spaced relation above the ground surface. Advantageously, the supporting element  4  provides an elevated fulcrum point to allow the elongate body  2  to be rotated about the fulcrum point without being restricted by the ground surface. This fulcrum point is able to be placed close to the post in an elevated position so that the post grip assembly  14 , in particular, the part of which that protrudes outwardly from the housing  13  is relatively short. Accordingly, due to its relatively short length the post grip assembly  14  is generally subject to relatively low bending forces. Furthermore, due to the shorter length of the post grip assembly  14  relative the elongate body  2  in comparison to known configurations, there is improved mechanical advantage which assists in the removal of posts. 
         [0071]    Furthermore, in use, the supporting element or stand  4  provides a stable platform which may assist in the removal of the post by stabilising the device and restricting the uplift of the ground in the vicinity where the post meets the ground surface. 
         [0072]    Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0073]    The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), onto any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 
         [0074]    Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 
       LIST OF PARTS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1 . Post handling device 
               2 . Elongate body 
               3 . Handle portion 
               4 . Support element 
               5 . Base Portion 
               6 . First end 
               7 . Central portion 
               8 . Hollow 
               9 . Second end 
               10 . Stem 
               12 . Pivot 
               13 . Housing 
               14 . Post grip assembly 
               15 . Post 
               16 . Post engaging part, 
               17 . Carriage 
               18 . Second pivot 
               19 . Moulded arms 
               20 . Arms 
               21 . Recess 
               22 . Slot 
               23 . Pin 
               24 . Sliding coupled 
               25 . Tracks 
               26 . Outside faces 
               27 . Skeleton assembly 
               28 . U Shaped cross section 
               29 . Post engaging surfaces 
               30 . Clip 
               31 . Pin 
               32 . Bore 
               33 . Bore 
               34 . Lips 
               35 . Cut outs 
               36 . Open end 
               37 . Plates 
               38 . First end 
               39 . Second end 
               40 . Bores 
               41 . Spaced apart ridges 
               42 . Retaining arrangement 
               43 . Outer ramp section 
               44 . Inner ramp section 
               45 . Flange 
               46 . Protrusion 
               47 . Striker plate 
               48 . Lug