Patent Publication Number: US-2011062398-A1

Title: Post pulling device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device to assist in the pulling of metal fencing posts. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Agricultural fencing may be used to enclose or limit the movement of livestock on a ranch or farm. Fencing used for this particular purpose may be made from various materials depending on the terrain, location and types of animals being confined. The fences utilized on farms and ranches help to restrict the movement of livestock and prevent livestock from wandering onto state or federal highways and consequently causing a collision. The types of fences utilized may include wire, barbwire, wooden, woven wire and even electrical charged fencing. The typical fence used on a farm or ranch may be up to about 4 feet in height where a series of posts are used to mount or construct the fence. Posts used for the fence may include wooden posts and steel T-shaped posts. Posts may be placed about 10 to 20 feet apart depending on the style of fencing utilized. T-shaped posts usually include clips or lugs for the insertion of wire fencing. 
     Due to regular maintenance or particular fencing configurations it may be necessary to move or repair a wire fence. Such a repair or movement requires the removal of the T-shaped posts from their position. When T-posts are installed they are embedded or driven into the ground in order to provide a sturdy means for the mounting or assembly of the fence. Consequently, the extracting or removal of the fencing posts can be a challenging endeavor. Various means have been developed to assist in the removal of fencing posts through the use of attachments or machine-lifting devices. It would therefore be advantageous to have a simple tool or device to assist in the removal of a T-shaped fence post. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a post-pulling device for the extraction of T-shaped posts and a method of using the same. The post-pulling device according to the present invention includes: an I-beam body; a pull chain, where said pull chain is permanently attached to a first end of the I-beam body; and a post insertion opening near a second end of the I-beam body, where said opening allows for the insertion of a T-shaped posted. The pull chain may be welded to the I-beam body. In one particular embodiment, the I-beam body may include two beveled sidewalls and the opening may be a T-shaped opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a post-pulling device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a side view of the post-pulling device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  shows one end of the post-pulling device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a prospective view of the post-pulling device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a post-pulling device to assist in the extraction and removal of T-shaped fencing posts. The post-pulling device according to the present invention provides a device designed for the pulling or extracting of the fence posts used widely on ranches and farms.  FIG. 1  depicts a Post-Pulling Device  100  according to the present invention. The Post-Pulling Device  100  of the present invention includes an I-Beam Body  20  and a Pull Chain  30 . The Pull Chain  30  is connected to the I-Beam Body  20  a first end thereof and provides a means to pull or remove the T-posts once inserted into the Post-Pulling Device  100 . 
     The Pull Chain  30  is attached to the I-Beam Body  20  by Two Welded Connections  23   a,    23   b.  Near a second end of the I-Beam Body  20 , a Post Insertion Opening  22  is provided. The Post Insertion Opening  22  is a T-shaped opening for the insertion of a T-shaped post. Beyond the T-Shaped Opening  22  is the second end of the I-Beam Body  20 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a side view of the I-Beam Body  20  with the Pull Chain  30  attached thereto. The side view shows a sidewall of the I-Beam Body  20 .  FIG. 2B  shows a close up of the second End  24  of the I-Beam Body  20 . The I-Beam Body  20  is tapered to a certain extent and is more clearly shown with beveled sidewalls of the I-beam body. The beveled walls are depicted clearly in  FIG. 3 , which shows a perspective view of the Post-Pulling Device  100 . In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the I-beam sidewalls begin at about 3/16 of an inch with the cross beam at ⅛ of an inch in thickness. The entire length of the Post-Pulling Device  100  and particularly the I-Beam Body  20  is about 3⅛ inches in width and 2⅝ inches in height. 
     The Post-Pulling Device  100  provides an apparatus to extract T-shaped metal posts in order to alleviate the effort and labor associated with the removal thereof. The Post-Pulling Device  100  may be placed over the T-shaped posts and then hooked into the post lugs to grip the T-shaped cross-section. Once in place, a jack may be used to vertically lift the chain and consequently vertically pull the post upward out of the ground. The Post-Pulling Device  100  may be easily transported and interchanged through multiple posts while removing posts for a particular fencing job. The upward force provided by a jack attached to the Pull Chain  30  provides sufficient power and force to lift the T-shaped post from its mounted position in the ground. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.