Rail fence retractor

Abstract

A rail fence retractor allowing removal of a fence rail engaged with a fence post comprising a blade having a first and second end. The first end of the blade has a thickness and width allowing insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein. The rail has self-locking tabs which must be depressed for removal of the rail from the fence post slot. The fence rail retractor also has a handle which is attached to the second end of the blade. The handle allows the application of force against handle to fix the position of the handle against the fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot. The handle is also useful in carrying the rail fence retractor when not in use. The handles of the rail fence retractor may be configured to allow integration with the blade. The handles may be also be configured to allow a pair of rail fence retractors to fit or snap together when not in use.

1 . A rail fence retractor allowing removal of a fence rail engaged with a fence post comprising:
 a. A blade having a first and second end wherein said first end of said blade has a thickness and width allowing insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said rail has locking labs which must be depressed for removal of said rail from said fence post slot;   b. A handle, said handle attached to said second end of said blade wherein said handle allows the application of force against said handle to fix the position of said handle against a fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot; and,   c. An angled portion located at said first end of said blade, said angled portion sized to allow insertion of said blade into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said blade is allowed to move past said locking labs during insertion of said blade in said fence post slot and wherein said locking labs are depressed by engagement with said blade during removal of said rail from said fence post slot.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The rail fence refractor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the angle of the angled portion of the blade is in the range of 33-35 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said angle of the angled portion is in the range of 1-60 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a first strap is attached at a first end of said handle and allows the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of the said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 6  wherein a second strap is attached at a second end of said handle and allows the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of the said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       9 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said first and second straps have Velcro affixed to one end for affixation and securement of the straps Mound the fence post. 
   
   
       10 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the second end of said blade has a 90 degree angle formed therein and further wherein said handle is vertically sectioned into first and second vertical sections, a securement means applied to fix said first and second sections of said handle together with said blade secured therein between said first and second sections. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A rail fence refractor allowing removal of a fence rail engaged with a fence post comprising:
 a. A first blade having a first and second end wherein said first end of said first blade has a thickness and width allowing insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said rail has tabs which must be depressed for removal of said rail from said fence post slot;   b. A first handle, said handle attached to said second end of said blade wherein said first handle allows the application of force against said first handle to fix the position of said first handle against the fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot;   c. An angled portion located at said first end of said first blade, said angled portion sized to allow insertion of said first blade into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said first blade is allowed to move past said locking tabs during insertion of said first blade in said fence post slot and wherein said locking tabs are depressed by engagement with said first blade during removal of said rail from said fence post slot;   d. A second blade also having a first and second end wherein said first end of said second blade has a thickness and width allowing insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said rail has tabs which must be depressed for removal of said rail from said fence post slot;   e. A second handle, said second handle also attached to said second end of said second blade wherein said second handle allows the application of force against said second handle to fix the position of said second handle against the fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot; and,   f. An angled portion located at said first end of said second blade said angled portion sized to allow insertion of said second blade into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein and further wherein said second blade is allowed to move past said locking tabs during insertion of said second blade in said fence post slot and wherein said locking tabs are depressed by engagement with said second blade during removal of said rail from said fence post slot.   
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the angle of the angled portion is in the range of 33-35 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the angle of the angled portion of the blade is in the range of 1-60 degrees. 
   
   
       16 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 12  wherein a first strap is attached at a first end of said first and second handles allowing the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       17 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 14  wherein a first strap is attached at a first end of said first and second handles and allows the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of the said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 16  wherein a second strap is attached at a second end of said handle and allows the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of the said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       20 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said first and second straps have Velcro affixed to one end for affixation and securement of the straps around the fence post. 
   
   
       21 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 17  wherein a retractor string is attached at a second end of said first and second handles allowing the position of said rail fence retractor to be held against the fence post during removal of said rail from said fence post slot. 
   
   
       22 . The rail fence retractor as set forth in  claim 21  wherein a locking clasp is intertwined with said retractor string thereby allowing said locking clasp to be fastened upon said retractor string prior to removal of said rail from said fence post slot to limit the amount of slack available between said retractor handles. 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . (canceled)