GB2524330A

GB2524330A - Post raising apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2524330A
Application number: GB1405112.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart John Archer
Original assignee: POSTPULLERS UK Ltd
Current assignee: POSTPULLERS UK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-21
Filing date: 2014-03-21
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-21
Also published as: WO2015140577A1; EP3119965A1; AU2015233158A1; GB201405112D0; GB2524330B

Abstract

An apparatus for raising a post comprises a carriage 23 movable between raised and lowered positions. A clamp assembly 5 mounted on the carriage has clamping members 33 for gripping a post. The carriage may be supported on a frame 1 which may be adapted for mounting on a carrier such as an excavator. The carriage may extend between and may be supported by guide members 13. The carriage may be raised and lowered by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic piston/cylinder units acting between the frame and the carriage. The carriage may be attached to the guide members by one or more roller assemblies, which may include at least one roller located in a channel 31 extending along the guide member. The clamp assembly may be opened and closed by one or more piston/cylinder units 35 acting between the carriage and the clamping members.

Description

POST RAISING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to post raising apparatus. More specifically the invention concerns apparatus that can be attached to a post to raise the post and assist in the removal of the post from the ground. The term "post" includes poles or like e'ongate members and the term "post" is used hereinafter for convenience only and is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention.

Manually removing posts mounted in the ground by digging round the post can be difficult and time consuming where the post is buried to a considerable depth and/or the buried portion is surrounded by concrete.

The present invention aims to provide apparatus that addresses this and enables posts to be removed more easily.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for raising a post, the apparatus having a carriage mounted for movement between a lowered position and a raised position, and a clamp assembly mounted on the carriage and having clamping members mounted for movement towards and away from each other for gripping a post therebetween.

The carriage may be supported on a frame, The frame may be adapted for mounting the apparatus on a carrier. For example the frame may be detachably mounted on the carrier, The carrier may be a vehicle such as an excavator.

The carriage may extend between and be supported for up and down movement between the lowered position and raised position by guide members. The carriage may be raised and lowered by one or more piston/cylinder units acting between the frame and the carriage, The or each piston/cylinder unit may be connected to a power source to extend/retract the unit. For example the or each piston/cylinder unit may be powered by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid from a vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted.

The carriage may be attached to the guide members by one or more roller assemblies. The or each roller assembly may include at least one roller located in a channel extending lengthwise of the guide member. For example, the guide members may be of I-section and the or each roller assembly may have a pair of rollers engaging the channels on both sides of the guide members.

One or both clamping members may be mounted for sliding movement towards and away from the other clamping member to close and open and the clamp assembly. Alternatively, one or both clamping members may be mounted for pivotal movement towards and away from the other clamping member to close and open the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly may be opened and closed by one or more piston/cylinder units acting between the carriage and one or both clamping members.

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: -Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to a first embodiment with the carriage lowered and the clamp assembly open; Figure 2 is a front view of the first embodiment; Figure 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a side view of the first embodiment; Figure S is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the carriage raised and the clamp assembly open; Figure 6 is a perspective view of apparatus according to a second embodiment with the carriage lowered and the clamp assembly closed; Figure 7 is a front view of the second embodiment; Figure 8 is a plan view of the second embodiment; and Figure 9 is a side view of the second embodiment.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, apparatus according to a first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 5 and apparatus according to a second embodiment is shown in Figures 6 to 9, Lilce reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the following description to indicate the same or similar parts. Accordingly, the description of the same or similar parts of the second embodiment is not repeated in detail and will be understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the first embodiment.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, apparatus according to the first embodiment is shown and includes a frame 1 for attaching to a carrier for supporting the apparatus in use. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to excavators, lorry mounted cranes (e.g. Hiab type), and tracked vehicles.

The frame 1 may be mounted on a trailer or the like for transportation to a site for use. The frame 1 may be releasably connected to the carrier so as to be attached to and detached from the carrier as required. Tn other embodiments (not shown), the apparatus may be self-supporting.

The apparatus further includes a carriage 3 supported for up and down movement on the frame I between a lowered position shown in Figure 1 and a raised position shown in Figure 5. The carriage 3 is provided with a clamp assembly 5 for attaching to a post (not shown) in the lowered position of the carriage 3 whereby raising the carriage 3 raises the clamp assembly 5 together with the post for removing the post from the ground.

The frame 1 includes a transverse, horizontal rear member 7 and a rearward extending mounting plate 9 for attaching the frame I to the carrier by means of a linkage (not shown). The frame I further includes forward extending horizontal side members 11 and upward extending vertical guide members 13 attached to the side members 11.

The frame I further includes bracing members 5 between the rear member 7 and central plate 9, bracing members 17 between the rear member 7 and side members II, and bracing members 19 between the side members 11 and guide members 13.

The carriage 3 is mounted on the guide members 13 for up and down movement between the lowered position shown in Figure 1 and the raised position shown in Figure 5 under the control of piston/cylinder units 21 acting between the frame 1 and the carriage 3.

The carriage 3 includes a transverse, horizontal support member 23 and vertical post members 25. The post members 25 are attached to the guide members 13 by upper and lower roller assemblies 27, 29.

In this embodiment the guide members 13 are of I-section and the roller assemblies 27, 29 include rollers 27a, 29a are located and retained in channels 31 on both sides of the I-section guide members 13. It will be understood that any other arrangement for mounting the carriage 3 for up and down movement may be employed.

The piston/cylinder units 21 are housed in the post members 25 in the lowered position of the carriage shown in Figure 1, The piston/cylinder units 2] may be connected to a power source on the carrier or any other suitable power source for extending/retracting the units 2] to raise and lower the carriage 3. The piston/cylinder units 21 may be operated hydraulically or pneumatically.

The clamp assembly 5 includes clamping members 33 mounted on the support member 23 for movement towards and away from each other to close and open the clamp assembly 5 under the control of piston/cylinder units 35 acting between the clamping members 33 and the carriage 3, The clamping members 33 are located on the support member 23 by slide members 37 for sliding movement between the open position shown in the Figures and a closed position (not shown). It will be understood that any other arrangement for mounting the clamping members for sliding movement towards and away from each other may be employed.

The piston/cylinder units 35 are housed in the clamping members 33 in the open position of the clamp assembly shown in the Figures. The piston/cylinder units 35 may be connected to a power source on the carrier or any other suitable power source for extending/retracting the units 35 to close/open the clamping assembly 5. The piston/cylinder units 35 may be operated hydraulically or pneumatically.

In use to remove a post, the apparatus is mounted on a suitable carrier by attaching the plate 9 to the carrier via a suitable linkage. The piston/cylinder units 21, 35 are connected to a suitable power source.

With the carriage 3 in the lowered position shown in Figure 1 and the clamping members 33 moved apart to open the clamp assembly 5 as also shown in Figure 1, the apparatus may be positioned to locate a post having its lower end buried in the ground between the clamping members 33. The apparatus may be positioned with the side members 11 of the frame I on the ground.

The clamping members 33 can then be moved towards each other to close the clamp assembly S by operation of piston/cylinder units 35 so that the clamping members 33 engage and grip the post on opposite sides.

The carriage 3 can then be raised by operation of the piston/cylinder units 21 to lift the clamping members 33 and the post held therebetween to remove the post from the ground. In this way, it may be that the apparatus uses the ground itself in conjunction with raising the carriage to force the post from the ground.

The post can be released by operation of the piston/cylinder units 35 to move the clamping members 33 away from each other to open the clamp assembly 5, The carriage 3 can be lowered by operation of the piston/cylinder units 21 and the apparatus positioned to remove another post by repeating the above operation.

Where the post is of long length, the post may be secured by any suitable means that prevents the post toppling over when the clamping assembly 5 is released. For example one or more chains or straps may be provided that retains the post in a vertical orientation when the clamp assembly is released. The chains or straps may allow the post to be lowered in a controlled manner.

The clamping members 33 may be provided with gripping members or jaws 39 that engage the post. The gripping members 39 may have a profile to match the post. For example, the gripping members 39 may be flat when the post is rectangular or may be curved when the post is circular, The gripping members 39 may be detachable so that the appropriate gripping members can be fitted to the clamping members 33.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, apparatus according to a second embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the clamping members 33 are attached to the support member 23 for pivotal movement to open and close the clamp assembly 5 under the control of the piston/cylinder units 35.

The gripping members 39 are also preferably attached to the clamping members 33 for pivotal movement so as to self-align with the surface of the post when the clamping assembly S is closed to grip the post.

In other respects the construction and operation of this embodiment is similar to and will be understood from the description of the first embodiment.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various changes may be made within the scope of the invention, For example, in the above-described embodiments, both clamping members 33 are movable to open and close the clamping assembly In other embodiments, it may be that one clamping member is fixed or stationary and the other clamping member is movable relative thereto to open and close the clamp assembly.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the carriage 3 is raised and lowered by piston/cylinder units 21 at each side. In other embodiments, it may be that a single piston/cylinder unit 21 is employed on one side to raise and lower the carriage 3. In this arrangement, it may be that the piston/cylinder unit on the other side is replaced by a guide for locating the carriage for up and down movement.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the carriage 3 is raised and lowered by a pair of piston/cylinder units 21. In other embodiments, it may be that the piston/cylinder units 21 are replaced by other means for raising and lowering the carriage. Thus it may be that the carriage is raised and lowered by an electric motor, The electric motor may operate a drive mechanism to raise and lower the carriage. The drive mechanism may comprise a rack and pinion. A rack and pinion may be provided on one side of the carriage with a guide provided for locating the carriage on the other side for np and down movement. Alternatively, a rack and pinion may be provided on both sides. Where a rack and pinion is provided on both sides, they may be operated by the same electric motor or by separate electric motors.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the clamping members 33 may be provided with gripping members 39. It may be that the clamping members 33 and/or gripping members 39 are provided with one or more features to grip the post. For example features that provide a frictional grip such as a roughened surface and/or features that provide a mechanical grip such as one or more spikes.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the apparatus can be mounted on a carrier for positioning the apparatus. It may be that the apparatus is adapted for use without a carrier. For example, the apparatus may be provided with wheels for moving and positioning the apparatus.

The wheels may be raised to position the frame on the ground and lowered to lift the frame clear off the ground for moving the frame.

As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially", and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disc'osure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise configuration shown, Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms "attached", "connected," "secured" and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another, Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "above," "below," "horizontal", "vertical", "forward", "rearward" etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various &ements may differ according to other exemp'ary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be

encompassed by the present disclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the apparatus as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention extends to and includes any feature of any of the embodiments employed separately or in combination with any other feature of the same or other embodiments. The invention also extends to and includes replacement of any feature of any of the embodiments by the corresponding feature of another embodiment performing the same or similar function or by an equivalent feature performing the same or similar function.

Claims

CLAIMSL Apparatus for raising a post, the apparatus having a carriage mounted for movement between a lowered position and a raised position, and a clamp assembly mounted on the carriage and having clamping members for gripping a post therebetween mounted for movement towards and away from each other.
2. The apparatus of claim I wherein the carriage is supported on a frame.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the frame is adapted for mounting the apparatus on a carrier.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the frame is detachably mounted on the carrier.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the carriage extends between and is supported for up and down movement between the lowered position and raised position by guide members.
6. The apparatus of claims wherein the carriage is raised and lowered by one or more piston/cylinder units acting between the frame and the carriage.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the or each piston/cylinder unit is connected to a power source to extend/retract the unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the or each piston/cylinder unit is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid.
9. The apparatus of any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the carriage is attached to the guide members by one or more roller assemblies.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the or each roller assembly includes at least one roller located in a chann& extending lengthwise of the guide member.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the guide members are of I-section and the or each roller assembly has a pair of rollers engaging the channels on both sides of the guide members.
12. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein one or both clamping members is mounted for sliding movement towards and away from the other clamping member to close and open and the clamp assembly.
13. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11 wherein one or both clamping members is mounted for pivotal movement towards and away from the other clamping member to close and open the clamp assembly.
14. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the clamp assembly is opened and closed by one or more piston/cylinder units acting between the carriage and one or both clamping members.5, The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein, in use, the apparatus is positioned on the ground and uses the ground in conjunction with raising the carriage to force a post held by the clamping members from the ground.