Abstract:
A hydraulic tool for the installation of fencing T-posts into the ground without bending the T-post or causing damage or deformity to the top of the T-post, installs to the three point hitch of a tractor with hydraulic connections to the tractor hydraulic system, securing the post along its vertical length prior to insertion into the ground, the tool having an upper stationary bracket holding an upper section of the T-post within a T-post slot and a lower sliding ram bracket securing to a lower section of the post, the lower sliding ram bracket forcing the T-post into the ground by use of a hydraulic ram at a chosen depth.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    A hydraulic tool for the installation of fencing T-posts into the ground without bending the T-post or causing damage or deformity to the top of the T-post, installs to the three point hitch of a tractor with hydraulic connections to the tractor hydraulic system, securing the post along its vertical length prior to insertion into the ground, the tool having an upper stationary bracket holding an upper section of the T-post within a T-post slot and a lower sliding ram bracket securing to a lower section of the post, the lower sliding ram bracket forcing the T-post into the ground by use of a hydraulic ram at a chosen depth. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present T-post insertion tool, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art. They also, for the most part, address post insertion devices that push the post into the ground from the top of the post, unlike the lateral insertion means for the insertion of the present T-post installation tool, such top-of-the-post insertion increasing the chance of damage to the top of the post from impact and also the risk of bending the post during insertion. 
         [0006]    A first set of post installation tools are found in multiple U.S. Patents, each of this patent applying a striking force on the top of the post being driven, in the same manner as a hammer strike to the top of the post. These striking force post driver patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,844,006 to Lutz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,635 to Deerkoski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,117 to Aldridge, U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,777 to Boley, U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,636 to Vreeland, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,098 to Tyer. A manual hammer device slipping over the top of a post is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,389 to Smoak. 
         [0007]    Another set of patent engage the top of the post being driven and force the post into the ground using a steady vertical force. These patent are identified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,919 to Herrmann and two patents to Reid, identified as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,597,156 and 7,950,470. These patent employ the use of hydraulics to supply the driving force. 
         [0008]    Post drivers have also disclosed guides of some nature to support a post during the installation process. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,378,131 to Dirkson, a pair of rollers are use for the smooth movement of the gear driven post long channel member. Another friction pulley is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 2,348,820 to Jordan which provides engagement with the plate hammer of that driver which is further driven by a belt or chain and sprocket. A guide roller is supplied for contact and security of a post which is driven by the apparatus in the post driver safety latch shown in U.S. patent Publication No. 2006/0113444 to Parson. This latch has a lever which engages and disengages the rollers against the post. 
         [0009]    A one person fence post driver is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,569,857 to Farb. In this patent, there are two parts which integrate to form the driving apparatus—a first tube section which is placed over the top of the T-post with a locking dog having a transversely extending head that engages the T-post on the surface having a plurality of projections between two of the projection which can be locked using a bolt. A second component slips over the first tube section and is slid up and down to drive the post into the ground until two hands can be used to complete the T-post installation. This was the only other patent found which has some engagement with the lateral surface of a T-post to avoid a direct and potentially deforming impact to the top of the T-post. It provides basically a type of impact hammering device, however and must be installed over the top of the T-post prior to the driving of the T-post using this manual device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    T-post fencing is currently the most expeditious and cost effective means of supplying fencing in the agricultural industry for containment of livestock using wire fencing. It is also used for roadside marking, for erection of snow fencing and for temporary confinement of animals in small areas using fencing panels. A common T-post, as referenced in the present application, is generally supplied in a length of six to seven feet, defines a T cross-section (hence the name “T-post) with a flat side having a plurality of wire supports (Reid &#39;156 and &#39;470), or flanges (T-post  17  in Herrmann &#39;919) on the flat lateral side indicating the top of the “T” in the T-post cross section. These flanges are used to secure a vertically placed wire tied to the post from being raised or lowered along the vertical axis of the post once secured. 
         [0011]    Of the prior art T-post installation tools, most of them involve an impact on the upper end of the T-post or they insert over the top of the T-post to engage some downward force on the top end of the post. These type forces pose two major potential issues during installation—deformation of the T-post and injury to the user. As to deformation, impact on the top of the T-post with some type of hammering tool can misshape the top of the T-post, bending the upper end or causing it to flare. Over time, this can cause to post to decay faster or split longitudinally. Impact removes the paint on the metal T-post and promotes rust build-up. Impact can also bend the T-post at some point between the upper and lower end when the T-post is installed in hard ground. As to the injury potential, there is always a chance for a user to get their hand between the driver and the T-post, to have the impact cause a lateral shift of the T-post while the post is being held, or to bend in the direction of the user&#39;s position during installation. There is also the risk of getting a hand or glove caught between the installation tool and the T-post in the devices that insert over the top of the T-post which could lead to a crushing type or pinching type injury to the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0012]    It would therefore be preferred that the user is no exposed to impact or any requirement to actually hold the T-post during installation. It would also be preferred that the installation tool be presented in a manner that would cause little or no damage to the T-post, preserving the shape and integrity of the T-post. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The following drawings are submitted with this utility patent application. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the T-post installation tool with a T-post. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the T-post installation tool indicating the connecting components between the tower support member and the hydraulic ram assembly, with a T-post attached within upper stationary T-post latch assembly and the lower drive T-post latch assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the T-post installation tool with a T-post in a position to be driven. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the T-post installation tool demonstrating the insertion of a T-post. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the T-post installation tool attached to a three point hitch of a tractor. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an isolated view of the pivotal joint assembly of the tower support member between the horizontal support arm and the lower vertical insert section with the spring locking pin disengaged. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of the hydraulic ram assembly in a raised position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the hydraulic ram assembly in a lowered position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the T-post installation tool. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the upper stationary T-post latch assembly in a closed position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the upper stationary T-post latch assembly in an open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the inner encasement ram bracket attached to the lower drive T-post latch assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the lower drive T-post latch assembly with the latch catch in a closed position showing a T-post. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the lower drive T-post latch assembly with the latch catch in an open position showing a T-post. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a perspective partial cutaway view of the ram cylinder attached between the lower ram support in the upper end cap and the inner encasement ram bracket. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the upper end cap and lower drive T-post latch assembly with the hydraulic ram secured between the lower ram support and the rear bracket channel extension. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    A T-post installation tool  10 , attaching to the rear end of a tractor having a three point hitch and having hydraulic line connections, shown in  FIGS. 1-16  of the above drawing sheets, presents the tool for driving a T-post A into the ground without impact and with little or no potential for deformation to the T-post A, the tool  10  comprising a tower support member  20  attaching to the three point hitch of the tractor X,  FIG. 5 , providing a locking ball hitch  65  pivotally engaging an upper hitch ball  124  suspending a hydraulic ram assembly  100 . 
         [0031]    The T-post A intended for use with the tool  10  are referenced herein as a common “T-post”, shown in  FIGS. 1-4 and 13-14  of the drawings, generally supplied in a length of six to seven feet, defining a “T” cross-section (hence the name “T-post) formed by two lateral side sections B, a rear section C and a flat front surface D having a plurality of wire supports (Reid &#39;156 and &#39;470), flanges (T-post #17 in Herrmann &#39;919) or in the present specification, extending projections E, extending from the flat front surface D perpendicular to the two extending lateral sides B, a lower twist plate F and a top end G and bottom end H which is inserted into the ground along with the twist plate F. The extending projections E are used to secure a vertically placed wire tied to the post from being raised or lowered along the vertical axis of the T-post once secured. Relying on this definition, the T-post used in the drawings and Claims will be defined as the T-post above. 
         [0032]    The tower support member  20  further comprises a hitch tower base  30  defining a pair of opposing lateral three point hitch supports  32 , a singular upper three point hitch support  34 , the three point hitch supports attaching to the supplied three point hitch of a tractor or other implement having a conventional hydraulic three point hitch using standard hitch pins,  FIG. 5 , the hitch tower base  30  extending a base tower receiver  35  and providing a chain anchor bracket  37  directed towards the tractor or implement and optionally providing an accessory receiver hitch  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 and 5 . The tower support member  30  further provides an upper tower assembly  40  including a lower vertical insert section  42  which is secured within the base tower receiver  35  and an upper pivot base plate  44  pivotally attaching to a pivotal locking gear  52  by a horizontal plane bearing  50 , the pivotal locking gear  52  being locked into a position by a spring locking pin  53  incorporated into the upper pivot base plate  44  in a position selected by the user,  FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 , the pivotal locking gear  52  further extending at least two horizontal support arm brackets  54  which support a horizontal support arm  60  at a bracket end  62 , the support arm  60  extending horizontally to a hitch end  64 , the hitch end  64  defining the locking ball hitch  65 . 
         [0033]    The hydraulic ram assembly  100  further comprises a support encasement  110  defining an upper end  111  providing a plurality of axial end cap bolt holes  112 , a lower end  113 , a front surface  114 , a right side surface  115 , a left side surface  116 , a rear surface  117  includes a lower vertical slide channel  118 , the four side  114 - 117 , defining an inner vertical channel  119  from the upper end  111  to the lower end  113 ,  FIGS. 1, 3, and 7-9 . Within the upper end  111 , an upper end cap  120  is attached to the support encasement  110  by a plurality of anchor bolts  122  secured through the axial end cap bolt holes  112 ,  FIGS. 9 and 15 . The upper end cap  120  further defines the upper hitch ball  124  and provides a lower ram mounting support  126 ,  FIGS. 9 and 15 . The upper hitch ball  124  secures within the locking ball hitch  65  of the tower support member  20  in a pendulum-type engagement allowing the hydraulic ram assembly  100  to be positioned perpendicular to the ground for level placement of a T-post A into the ground. 
         [0034]    Suspended from within the inner vertical channel  119  of the support encasement  110  by the lower hydraulic ram support  126  is an upper pin mount  132  of a hydraulic ram cylinder  130 , the upper pin mount  132  and the lower hydraulic ram support  126  connecting by a ram pin  128 ,  FIGS. 15-16 . The hydraulic ram cylinder  130  further defining a ram arm  134  having a lower pin mount  136 . The hydraulic ram cylinder  130  is attached through an upper hose outlet  146  and a lower hose outlet  148  by hydraulic cylinder hoses  144  attaching to a hydraulic valve controller  140  attaching to the front surface  114  of the support encasement  110 , the hydraulic valve controller  140  having an activation lever  145  to control the movement of the hydraulic ram cylinder  130 , the hydraulic valve controller  140  further connecting to the hydraulic connections of a tractor or implement by hydraulic connector lines  142 ,  FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 . The activation lever  145  of the hydraulic valve controller  140  is directed either to the right side surface  115  or to the left side surface  116  of the support encasement  110  on the front surface  114 , away from any moving components of the hydraulic ram assembly  110  later defined,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    The hydraulic ram assembly  100  further defines an upper stationary T-post latch assembly  200  attached to the rear surface  117  of the support encasement  110  above the lower vertical slide channel  118  and a lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  attaching to the lower pin mount  136  of the ram cylinder  130  through the lower vertical support channel  118 , these two latch assemblies retaining a T-post A and providing the active driving means by which the T-post A is installed by force into the ground. The upper stationary T-post assembly  200  does not move in relation to the support encasement  110 ,  FIGS. 7-8 . The lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  moves in a vertical pathway within the lower vertical slide channel  118  as directed by the extension and retraction of the ram cylinder  130  as directed by the user having control of the activation lever  145  of the hydraulic valve controller  140 ,  FIGS. 7-8 . 
         [0036]    The upper stationary T-post latch assembly  200  is attached to the rear surface  117  above the lower vertical slide channel  118  and further defines a latch base  204  forming a latch assembly grip post  202  extending laterally from the latch base  204 , the latch base  204  being welded to the rear surface  117  on an inner conforming margin  203 . The latch base  204  further defines an outer T-post slide channel  220  conforming to the profile of a vertical cross-section of a T-post A with an angular groove  222  accepting one of the laterals side sections B and a projection slide slot  224  which allows for the passage of the plurality of extending projections E of the captive T-post A, as indicated in  FIGS. 1-4 . A latch member  210  is presented between the T-post slide channel  220  and the grip post  202 , the latch member  210  further defining a slide pin cylinder  214  attached to the latch base  204 , the slide pin cylinder  214  containing a slide pin  216  having a rotational slide pin lever  218  and projecting a latch catch  212 , the latch catch  212  spanning a portion of the T-post slide channel  220  in a closed position and fully clearing the T-post slide channel  220  in an open position, the latch catch extending towards the T-post A at the intersection of the rear section C and the lateral side section B away from the angular groove  222 , the selection of the open and closed position being determined by the position of the slide pin lever  218 , as seen in  FIGS. 10-11 and 13-14 . 
         [0037]    The lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  further comprises an inner encasement ram bracket  302 , conforming to the shape of the inner vertical channel  119  of the support encasement  110  to move freely up and down within the support encasement  110 , the inner encasement ram bracket  302  further providing an axial bore  304  through which a ram arm pin  305  attaches the inner encasement ram bracket  302  to the lower pin mount  136  of the ram cylinder  130  suspended within the inner vertical channel  119 . The inner encasement ram bracket  302  extends a rear bracket channel extension  306  through the lower vertical slide channel  118  beyond the rear surface  117  of the support encasement  110 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . A latch base  308  is welded to the rear bracket channel extension  306  with the latch base  308  further defining a T-post drive channel  320 . The T-post drive channel  320  is distinguished from the T-post slide channel  220  of the upper stationary T-post latch assembly  200 , forming the same angular groove  322 , but without a projection slide slot  224 , instead forming a flat projection drive margin  324  presenting an upper edge  326  and a lower edge  325 . This T-post drive channel  320  will conform to the vertical cross-section of a T-post A, with a lateral side section B within and the rear section C against the T-post drive channel  320 , except the projection drive margin  324  will not allow the passage of the extending projections E of the T-post A, the projection drive margin  324  fitting between a selected pair of extending projections E against the flat front section D, the lower extending projections E below the projection drive margin  324  forced downward by the lower edge  325  of the projection drive margin  324 . 
         [0038]    A latch member  310  is presented between the T-post drive channel  320  on a margin opposite the T-post drive channel  320  from the attachment between the rear bracket channel extension  306 , the latch member  310  further defining a slide pin cylinder  314  attached to the latch base  308 , the slide pin cylinder  314  retaining a slide pin  316  having a rotational slide pin lever  318  and projecting a latch catch  312 . The latch catch  312  spans a portion of the T-post drive channel  320  in a closed position which intrudes into a portion of the T-post A, formed by the lateral side section B and the rear section C and fully clearing the T-post drive channel  320  in an open position, the selection of the open and closed position being determined by the position of the slide pin lever  318 , as seen in  FIGS. 13-14 . 
         [0039]    The T-post installation tool  10  can be used by a single user or by a user and a tractor driver as a team. Prior to attachment of the T-post installation tool  10  to a tractor, it is recommended that the tractor be turned off. Installation involves the steps commencing by connecting the tower support member  20  to the three point hitch and ensuring that all safety pins are engaged. The locking ball hitch  65  is opened and the hydraulic ram assembly  100  is placed in a vertical position with the upper hitch ball  124  up, the hitch ball  124  being installed within the locking ball hitch  65 , further engaging the locking ball hitch  65  to capture and secure the upper hitch ball  124  within the locking ball hitch  65  and further installing and securing any hitch pin to lock the locking ball hitch  65  in a closed position. The rear surface  117  of the hydraulic ram assembly  100  is directed away from the tractor and the front surface  114  of the hydraulic ram assembly  100  is directed towards the tractor. At this point, the hydraulic connector lines  142  are attached to the tractor hydraulic system. It is advisable at this point that the user directs the horizontal support arm  60  away from the tractor and that the spring locking pin  53  locks the support arm  60  in this position by engaging the spring lock pin  53  in the appropriate location within the pivotal locking gear  52 . At this point, the user may start the tractor. It may also be recommended that at this point that a chain be used to connect the optional chain anchor bracket  37 , where supplied, to a sturdy section of the tractor, perhaps an extending hitch plate on the tractor, to prevent the T-post installation tool  10  from sudden rise during the start up of the tractor, commonly resulting in an upward lurch of the three point hitch and/or pressure in the hydraulic lines that might present unintentional movement to the hydraulic ram assembly  100 . At this point, the T-post installation tool  10  is ready for use to install T-posts A. The chain may be left in place during use of the installation to retain the three point hitch at a certain level. 
         [0040]    Installation of the T-post A using the T-post installation tool  10  requires a mere few steps. Caution should be taken in keeping hands away from any moving component during use of the tool  10 . A user will position the tractor and attached tool  10  at the location where the T-post A is to be installed, placing the lower end  113  of the hydraulic ram assembly  100  adjacent to a T-post insertion site. The lever  145  of the hydraulic valve controller  140  is elevated until the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  is at the top of the lower vertical slide channel  118 , retracting the ram cylinder  130  to its most compressed state. A T-post A is then inserted into the T-post slide channel  220  and T-post drive channel  320  of respective upper stationary T-post latch assembly  200  and the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  while each respective latch catch  212 ,  312 , is in the open position, FIGS.  11  and  14 . The projection drive margin  324  must be between two extending projections E of the inserted T-post A. The slide pin levers  218 ,  318 , are then rotated to close the latch catches  212 ,  312 ,  FIGS. 10 and 13 . At this point, the user is to remove their hands from the rear surface area, especially away from the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  and the lower vertical slide channel  118 . If needed, the user may grasp the latch assembly grip post  202  to steady the hydraulic ram assembly  100  and to maintain the level of the T-post A during installation. Using another hand, the user would maneuver the activation lever  145  of the hydraulic valve controller  140  to lower the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300 , driving the bottom end H and the twist plate F of the T-post A into the ground until the hydraulic ram cylinder  130  reaches its full extension or when the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  is at the lower end  113  of the support encasement  110 . The latch catches  212 ,  312 , are then released and the hydraulic ram assembly  100  is moved to release the T-post A from the respective T-post slide channel  220  and T-post drive channel  320 . The user then moves on to the next installation. 
         [0041]    It is intended that the inner encasement ram bracket  302  is confined within the support encasement  110  at all times and that the design of the tool  10  be such that the return of the ram cylinder  130  be consistent with the length of the support encasement  110  so that the inner encasement ram bracket  302  is never completely pushed beyond the lower end  113  of the support encasement  110 . At full extension, if the T-post A requires further insertion, the T-post A would be released from both respective angular grooves  222 ,  322 , by unlatching the latch members  210 ,  310 , and maneuvering the hydraulic ram assembly  100  using the latch assembly grip post  202  to release the T-post A, retracting the ram cylinder  130 , reapplying the hydraulic ram assembly  100  to a higher point of the T-post A and repeat the driving of the T-post A until installed to the proper depth in the ground. 
         [0042]    In addition to installation, the tool  10  may be used to remove a T-post A which is in the ground using the reverse installation steps, or by connecting a chain to the T-post A or any other post for that matter, further attaching the chain to a lateral slotted chain extension  328 , shown in  FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 12-14 , and retracting the hydraulic ram  130 , elevating the lower drive T-post latch assembly  300  and pulling the post out of the ground. 
         [0043]    While the T-post installation tool  10  has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.