Post straightening apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for straightening an article are disclosed. The apparatus and method disclosed provide for the conservation of metal, reduction waste worldwide, and the extension of the useful life for an article. The apparatus may comprise an actuator, an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece including two arms, the arms defining a space therebetween; and a support member including two rails, the rails defining a space therebetween. Upon activation of the actuator, the arms engage the article disposed on the rails. Also, the space between the arms is aligned with the space between the rails. Both spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that portions within the spaces are not engaged by the arms.

1 . An apparatus for straightening an article comprising:
 an actuator;   an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece comprising two arms, the arms defining a first space therebetween, wherein the arms define arm contact surfaces for contacting an article to be straightened;   a support member comprising two rails, the rails defining a second space therebetween, wherein the rails define rail support surfaces for supporting the article, and wherein each rail support surface includes a gap, wherein an article portion overlying the gap is not contacted by the rail support surfaces and wherein the article portion overlying the gap is engaged by the arms, and   wherein upon activation of the actuator, the actuator moves toward the support member causing the arms to engage the article, and wherein the first and second spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that article portions within the first and second spaces are not engaged, wherein article portions within the first space avoid contact with the endpiece and article portions within the second space avoid contact with the support member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated frame member, wherein the actuator and the support member are coupled to the frame member and arranged such that the arm contact surfaces are aligned with the rail support surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arms define a first length and the gap in the rail support surfaces defines a second length, wherein the first and second lengths are substantially similar. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arm contact surfaces are parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rail support surfaces are parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arms define an inverted V-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the endpiece comprises a base portion and the arms extend from the base portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the base portion has internal threading and one end of the actuator is threaded to allow attachment to the endpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein upon activation of the actuator, the arms will engage the article. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the article is a t-post. 
     
     
         11 . A method for straightening an article comprising the steps of:
 a) placing an article on a pair of rails, the rails define rail support surfaces for supporting the article, wherein the rails define a first space therebetween, wherein the article is placed on the pair of rails in a manner to permit receipt of a first article portion within the first space such that the first article portion avoids contact with the rails;   b) moving an actuator with a pair of arms connected thereto toward the rails and into engagement with the article, wherein the arms define a second space therebetween, wherein the second space is capable of receiving a second article portion thereby permitting the second article portion to avoid contact with the arms;   c) moving the actuator with the pair of arms away from the article disposed on the rails; and   d) removing the article from the rails.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each rail support surface includes a gap, wherein the portion of the article overlying the gap is not contacted by the rail support surfaces and wherein the portion of the article overlying the gap is engaged by the arms. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the article is a t-post. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the steps of moving the actuator toward and away from the rails are performed by operating a lever operably coupled to the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein steps (a) to (c) are repeated one or more times at the same or a different portion of the article prior to performing step (d). 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for straightening an article comprising:
 an actuator;   an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece comprising two arms, the arms defining a first space therebetween, wherein the arms define arm contact surfaces for contacting an article to be straightened;   a support member comprising two rails, the rails defining a second space therebetween, wherein the rails define rail support surfaces for supporting the article; and   wherein upon activation of the actuator, the actuator moves toward the support member causing the arms to engage the article, and wherein the first and second spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that article portions within the first and second spaces are not engaged, wherein article portions within the first space avoid contact with the endpiece and article portions within the second space avoid contact with the support member.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising an elongated frame member, wherein the actuator and the support member are coupled to the frame member and arranged such that the arm contact surfaces are aligned with the rail support surfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each rail support surface includes a gap, wherein an article portion overlying the gap is not contacted by the rail support surfaces and wherein the article portion overlying the gap is engaged by the arms. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the arms define a first length and the gap in the rail support surfaces defines a second length, wherein the first and second lengths are substantially similar.