Field of Invention

The invention generally relates to a foldable device for engaging with, gripping and lifting posts such as star pickets or stakes.

Background of Invention

Parker (US 4,161,310) describes a post puller with a ground engaging base, a vertical support and a lever arm that pivots about the vertical support. The lever arm has a bracket at a first end with a bolt that engages the post by passing underneath one of a plurality of projections along an edge of the post. Once engaged, the post may be removed from the ground by pushing downwardly on a second end of the lever arm, thereby applying an upward force to remove the post. The post puller of Parker has a small flat base that is rigidly attached to the vertical support. Additionally, the post puller of Parker may be collapsed by pivoting the lever arm and support together. In the collapsed state the base abuts the lever arm thus restricting the size of base.

Object of the Invention

The invention seeks to provide an improved post removing device.

Summary of Invention

In one broad form there is provided a device for engaging and lifting a post, the device including a ground engaging base, a projecting support and a lever arm operatively coupled to the support, the lever arm being adapted for engaging and lifting the post and wherein the support is pivotally coupled to the base.

Preferably, the base and support have a hinge coupling. Preferably, the lever arm includes a post engaging section for gripping the post and a handle section with a portion adapted for clasping; and wherein the hinge coupling allows the support to pivot relative to the base to allow the post engaging section to move into engagement with the post.

Preferably, the device further includes a stop configured to restrict further pivoting of the support in a direction away from the post whereby to allow lever action to be applied by the handle section, through the support and onto the base, in order to lift the post.

Preferably, the hinge coupling is provided toward a front of the support and the stop is provided by a rear of the support, which abuts the base.

Preferably, the hinge coupling is formed of two points, spaced apart to define a gap for receiving at least a portion of the lever arm when the device is in a collapsed condition.

Preferably, the support is channel shaped to accommodate at least a portion of the collapsed lever arm.

Preferably, the base and support have a pivot coupling with limited lateral freedom to allow the support to be pivoted in one direction, forwardly of the base and laterally tilted, to facilitate gripping of the post.

Preferably, the pivot coupling is formed by a journal which passes through a mount with a bevelled bearing surfaces to accommodate play between the journal and mount to thereby provide the limited lateral freedom.

Preferably, wherein the lateral freedom is restricted to 15 degrees relative to a vertical axis.

Preferably, the device further including a swivel coupling to allow the lever arm to rotate about an axis of the support. Preferably, the device further includes a swivel coupling allows the support to rotate about the base.

In one form of the device, one of the support and at least a portion of the lever arm are configured to at least partially fit within the other, in a collapsed condition.

Preferably, the support is formed with an internal space to receive at least a portion of the lever arm.

In one form, at least a portion of the lever arm has an internal space to receive the support.

Preferably, the lever arm includes a handle section with a rebate section to also accommodate the base when folded against the support in a fully collapsed condition.

Preferably, at least one of the support and lever arm are configured to telescopically extend and collapse.

In another aspect there is provided a method of using the abovementioned device, including tilting the support relative to the base to grip the post and facilitate removal of the post.

Preferably, the method includes collapsing the post remover by pivoting a handle section of the lever arm and the support toward each other and pivoting the base such that the base folds flat against the support and the support and lever arm are fitted one within the other.

As may be appreciated, the device described herein advantageously folds flatter and is better adapted for use on sloping ground, as compared to the prior art.

Brief Descriptions of Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the post removing device in the deployed position;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the post removing device in the deployed position;

Figure 3a is a side view of the post removing device in the deployed position;

Figure 3b a side view of the post removing device with the support rearwardly tilted;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the post removing device in a collapsed position;

Figure 5 is a top view of the post removing device in the collapsed position;

Figure 6 is a side view of the post removing device in the collapsed position;

Figure 7a is a perspective view of another form of the device in the deployed position;

Figure 7b is a side view of the device in the collapsed condition;

Figure 7c is a front view of the device in the deployed position;

Figure 7d is an enlarged cross sectional view of a pivot coupling between a support and a base of the device, as indicated by "A" on figure 7c.

Figure 8a is a perspective view of yet another form of the device in the deployed position;

Figure 8b is a top view of the device in the deployed condition;

Figure 8c is a front view of the device in the deployed position; and Figure 8d is a cross-sectional view of a swivel coupling between a support and a base of the device, as indicated by "A" on figure 7a.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a device 1 for gripping a post 6 includes a ground engaging base 2, a projecting support 10 and a lever arm 30 coupled to the support 10 for engaging and lifting the post 6, the support being pivotally coupled to the base 2, preferably via a hinge coupling 4. The ground engaging base 2, in use, is arranged to bear against the ground or other suitable bearing surface.

The lever arm 30 includes a handle section 31 with a portion which is able to be clasped by a user and a post engaging section 20 adapted for engaging with the post 6. The post engaging section 20 includes a generally 'U' shaped cross section 22 where the inner surfaces of the cross section 22 are used as the engaging surfaces 21 that engage with the post 6. The post engaging section 20 also includes integrally formed spaced apart tabs 26 which provide a housing 27 into which a neck 32 of the handle section 31 is received {see Figure 4). The tabs 26 and the neck 32 include corresponding bores which are coupled by a pin or similar pivotal coupling so as to form a pivot joint 24 which allows the post engaging section 20 to move relative to the handle section 31.

The pivot joint 24 facilitates movement between the post engaging section 20 and the handle section 31, hence the support 10 and base 2. This relative movement between the post engaging section 20, support 10 and base 2 allows the post engaging surfaces 21 to move into frictional engagement with the post 6 so as to grip the post 6. More particularly, when in use, the 'U' shaped cross section 22 is able to pivot about pivot joint 24 such that when the handle section 31 is downwardly actuated the ¹ U ¹ shaped cross section 22 is rotated such the engaging surface 21 closest to the pivot joint 24 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 21 with the post 6 so as to grip the post 6. The base 2 includes a plate 3 with rounded edges and a curved leading edge 7 which has a indented central notch 25 that allows the plate 3 to be placed closer to the post 6. This may be particularly advantageous when removing the post 6 from asphalt or a similar surface as placement of the base 2 near to where the post 6 meets the ground assists in preventing uplift of the ground when removing the post 6. Furthermore, the notch 25 reduces the interference between the post 6 and the leading edge 7 of the plate 3, which is particularly advantageous if a large plate 3 is being used. Accordingly, the plate 3 can also be varied in size and configuration for use on different ground surfaces. It is also envisaged with the base may also be formed of other shapes for example, square with rounded edges or circular as is shown figure 8b which illustrates another example of the device.

The hinge coupling 4 includes two spaced apart outer housings 5 rigidly connected to the top surface 8 of the plate 3. The spacing of the outer housings 5 further accommodates inner housings 11 that are disposed on the lower part of the front 19 of the support 10. The outer housing 5 and inner housing 11 are then joined by pin 9 and hence facilitates hinging action (also see Figure 5).

The hinge coupling 4 allows the support 10 to pivot in one direction indicated by arrow A (see Figure 1), forwardly of the base 2. That is, a front side 19 of the support 10 can be rotated toward the leading edge 7 of the plate 3. The forward rotation can be used to align the elongate axis of the post 6 and the elongate axis of the support 10 to be substantially parallel. This substantially parallel alignment of the post 6 and the support 10 allows the upward force applied to the post 6 provided by downward force on the handle section 31 to be substantially aligned with the elongate axis of the post 6. The forward movement assists to facilitate the gripping of the post 6 with a post engaging section 20.

The location of the hinge coupling 4 toward the front side 19 of the support 10 is offset in the horizontal plane from the pivot point 15, which is located toward the top of the support 10. This offset in the horizontal plane operates as a moment arm to rotate the rearward edge 16 of the support 10 toward the stop 17 during action the lever arm 30 and maintain the device 1 in the deployed position as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The support 10 has a pivot point 15 providing a pivotal coupling with the lever arm 30 between a clasping end of the handle section 31 and the post engaging section 20. The support 10 has a channel like cross section 14 with a cut out 18 towards the top of the front side 19 to accommodate the neck 32 of the handle section 31.

The rearward lower edge 16 of the support 10 engages with the top surface 8 of the plate 3 which acts as a stop 17. This stop 17 prevents rotation of the support 10 in the rearward direction and ensures that the moments and forces applied during action the lever arm 30 are transferred through the support 10 and onto the base 2, in order to lift the post 6.

Figure 3a illustrates the device in an upright position. In this position the offset between the rearward edge 16 of the support 10 and stop 17 is apparent whilst figure 3b illustrates the device in a slightly rearward orientation with the rearward edge 16 engaged with the stop 17. To facilitate this rearward tilting, lower edges of a side face 12 of the support 10 are profiled upwardly from a base of the front side 19 towards the reward edge 16 such that that the engagement of stop 17 does not occur until the elongate axis of support 10 forms an angle of approximately 100 degrees with the horizontal plane of the plate 3, as shown in figure 3b.

Additionally, in some instances, it may be advantageous to place the base 2 close to the post 6, for example when the post 6 is not perpendicular to the ground. In these circumstances, the post 6 may be too close to the post engaging section 20 to achieve engagement. Thus, it can be advantageous to tilt the support 10 rearward to engage the post engaging section 20 with the post 6, without the need to move the base 2.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the device 1 in a collapsed condition. The base is moved toward the collapsed condition by rotation about the hinge coupling 4 such that the leading edge 7 moves toward the front 19 of the support 10. The forward position of the hinge coupling 4 allows the plate 3 to be rotated to a position where the top surface 8 is substantially flat against the support 10 and parallel with the front 19 of the support 10.

The support 10 has a channel shaped cross section 14 and spaced inner housings 11 that define a gap for receiving the handle section 31 when the device 1 is in a collapsed condition. This arrangement facilitates nesting of the handle section 31 at least partially within the channel cross section 14. In the collapsed position, the lever arm 30 restricts the rotation of the base 2, aiding to maintain the collapsed condition.

In the collapsed position cross section 34 of the handle section 31 is received within the channel cross section 14 of the support 10. The circular cross section 34 of the handle section 31 has a diameter approximately equal to the inside edge of the cross section 14 of the support 10 such that the cross section 34 is fitted with cross section 14. The neck 32 section of the handle section 31 is also sized to fit within the cross section 14 of the support 10. In the collapsed condition, the top surface 8 of the plate 3 is substantially parallel with the front 19 of the support 10 and the axial direction of the handle section 31.

Figure 7a to 7d illustrate another example of the device. As this example is substantially similar to that shown in Figure 1, like numerals will be used to denote like parts.

Figure 7a illustrates the device where the base 2 and support 10 have a pivot coupling 38 with limited lateral freedom, as is illustrated in Figure 7c, to allow the support to be pivoted in one direction, forwardly of the base 2 and laterally tilted, to facilitate gripping of the post 6 with the post engaging section 20.

Figure 7a and 7b show the device 1 in the deployed and collapsed positions respectively. The movement between these positions is facilitated in a similar manner as described in Figure 1 and 2 with the handle section 31 and support 10 coming together and the base 2 folding via pivot coupling 38 with the top surface 8 becoming substantially parallel with the front 19 of the support 10.

In this example, the handle section 31 has a channel like cross section 34 to receive the support 10. The neck 32 further includes a slot 33 to house a disk 23, which is circular in shape and has a radial axis aligned with the vertical axis of the support 10. The slot 33 further includes a pivot joint 24 to allow the disk 23 to move relative to the handle section 31. The disk 24 is rigidly connected to the post engaging section 20 that includes a generally 'U' shaped cross section 22 where the inner part of the cross section 22 is used as the engaging surfaces 21 to engage with the post 6.

Figure 7b illustrates the support 10 as fully received by the cross section 34 with the handle section 31 also including a rebate 37 section to accommodate the base 2 when folded against the support 10 in a fully collapsed condition.

Figure 7c and 7d illustrate the pivot coupling 38 that is formed by a journal 40 which passes through a mount 41. The support 10 has holes 45 to accommodate the journal 40 and splayed reverse v shaped cut out 43 to accommodate the mount 41.

The mount 41 extends vertically from the base 2 and has bevelled bearing surfaces 42 to accommodate play between the journal 40 and mount 41 to thereby provide the limited lateral freedom. As indicated by Figures 7c and 7d, the lateral freedom is restricted to 15 degrees relative to a vertical axis by the angle of the bevelled surface 42 and engagement of bottom 44 of the support 10 with the top surface 8 of the plate 3.

Figure 8a to 8d illustrate another example of the device. As this example is substantially similar to that shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 like numerals will be used to denote like parts.

Similarly to Figures 7a to 7d, the device 1 can be moved between the deployed and collapsed condition by pivoting the support 10 towards the handle section 31. The neck 32 further includes a slot 33 to house a disk 23, which is circular in shape and has a radial axis aligned with the vertical axis of the support 10. The slot 33 further includes a pivot joint 24 to allow the disk 23 to move relative to the lever arm 30. The disk 23 is rigidly connected to the post engaging section 20 that includes a generally 'U' shaped cross section 22 where the inner part of the cross section 22 forms the engaging surfaces 21 to engage with the post 6. As may be appreciated from figure 8b, the plate 3 in the example is circular, so that the base 2 may be placed in any orientation during use.

The support 10 is then stored substantially within the cross section 34 of the handle section 31. In the collapsed condition the base 2 is pivoted hinge joint 57 such that the top surface 8 is substantially parallel with the front 19 of the support 10. The handle section 31 has a recess to accommodate the folded base 2.

The swivel coupling 50 includes a mount 41 with a hinge joint 57 that pivotally connects to support 10 and a swivel 56 that allows the mount 41 to rotate relative to the base 2.

The hinge joint 57 includes a journal 40 and a mount 41 that is coupled to the base 2 via the swivel 56. The mount 41 has a bore 51 to provide a light friction fit to journal 40. The support 10 has holes 45 to accommodate the journal 40 and splayed reverse v shaped cut out 43 to accommodate the mount 41.

The swivel 56 includes a lower washer 52 and an upper washer 53 that are rigidly coupled to the mount 41. The lower washer 52 and upper washer 53 are arranged such that the plate 3 is sandwiched between with a light friction fit to permit swivelling of the coupling 50. The centre of the plate 3 has a hole 54 to accommodate the mount 41 and is raised to provide a recess 55 on the under side of the plate 3 for lower washer 52.

Examples of a device for gripping and removing a post have been described. The device has pivotally connected base that allows the device to be tilted forward to engage the post.

This titling is advantageous when the post is angled relative to ground, as can be the case when the ground is uneven, sloping or soft. The pivotally connected base also folds substantially parallel to the support member and the handle section of the lever arm when the device is in the collapsed condition. Additionally, the support can have a channel like cross section to at least partially receive the lever arm or alternatively at least a portion of the lever arm can have a channel like cross section and receive the support. The use channel sections and multiple pivot points afford the invention at least the advantage of being compact and convenient to store and transport, whilst being able to accommodate gripping and removing posts where the post angled relative to the ground or the post is otherwise awkward to engage.

It is also envisaged that the device may be fabricated of any suitable material, such as metal. Furthermore, the device may include sections made of or include sections coated in an insulating material such as a plastic to reduce electrical conductivity, improve grip and aesthetic appeal.

The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to 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.

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

1. Device

2. Base 3. Plate

4. Hinge Coupling

5. Outer Housing

6. Post

7. Leading Edge 8. Top Surface

9. Pin

10. Support

11. Inner Housing

12. Side Face 13. Rear Face

14. Cross Section

15. Pivot Point

16. Rearward Edge

17. Stop 18. Cut Out

19. Front

20. Post Engaging Section

21. Engaging Surface

22. Cross Section 23. Disk

24. Pivot Joint

25. Notch

26. Tabs

27. Housing 30. Lever Arm

31. Handle Section 32. Neck

34. Cross Section

37. Rebate

38. Pivot Coupling 40. Journal

41. Mount

42. Bevelled Surfaces

43. V Shaped Cut Out

44. Bottom 45. HoIe

50. Swivel Coupling

51. Bore

52. Lower Washer

53. Upper Washer 54. Hole

55. Recess

56. Swivel

57. Hinge Joint