Object lifting, pulling and digging apparatus

Abstract

An object lifting, pulling and digging apparatus has a pair of jaws that can be opened to enable positioning the jaws around a post, tree, and/or bush then closed around the post, tree, and/or bush. The jaws can then be raised to pull the post, tree, and/or bush from the ground. The jaws of the apparatus can also be closed and angled downwardly to drive the distal ends of the jaws into the ground, where the jaws can then be moved upwardly to dig the post, tree, and/or bush from the ground. The apparatus can easily be attached to a vehicle equipped with a universal quick attach hitch and having auxiliary hydraulics, for example, a “skid steer” type farm or construction vehicle.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An object lifting, pulling and digging apparatus comprising:
 a base; 
 a first jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends, the first jaw being constructed as pivotally coupled to the base and including a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the first jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the first jaw adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw; 
 a second jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends, the second jaw being constructed as pivotally coupled to the base and including a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the second jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the second jaw adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw, 
 a first pin connecting the first jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin relative to the base; 
 a second pin connecting the second jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin relative to the base; 
 a first saw tooth section secured on a top surface of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the first jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the first saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the first jaw; 
 a second saw tooth section secured to a top surface of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the second jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the second saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the second jaw; and, 
 an actuator connected to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaws configured to pivot at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw relative to the base. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 thea first pin connecting the first jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin between a closed position of the first jaw relative to the base and an open position of the first jaw relative to the base; 
 thea second pin connecting the second jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin between a closed position of the second jaw relative to the base and an open position of the second jaw relative to the base; 
 the first jaw has a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth; 
 the second jaw has a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth; and, 
 the straight section of gripping teeth of the first jaw engage with the straight section of gripping teeth of the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in their closed positions relative to the base and the curved section of gripping teeth of the first jaw and the curved section of gripping teeth of the second jaw do not engage with each other when the first jaw and the second jaw are moved to their closed positions relative to the base. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 the curved section of gripping teeth of the first jaw being arranged along a curved line; and, 
 the curved section of gripping teeth of the second jaw being arranged along a curved line. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the actuator having a housing at one end of the actuator and a rod at an opposite end of the actuator, the housing being connected coupled to the first jaw and the rod being connected coupled to the second jaw. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first digging tooth removably attached to the first jaw; and, 
 a second digging tooth removably attached to the second jaw. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of saw teeth on the first saw tooth section projecting generally vertically from the first jaw, a vertical projection of the first set of saw teeth from the first jaw increases as the first set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the first jaw toward the first pin; and, 
 a second set of saw teeth on the second saw tooth section projecting generally vertically from the second jaw, a vertical projection of the second set of saw teeth from the second jaw increases as the second set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the second jaw toward the second pin. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of gear teeth on the first jaw; and, 
 a second set of gear teeth on the second jaw, the first set of gear teeth and the second set of gear teeth meshing with each other. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a protective box on the base, the protective box having a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, a first side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall on one side of the protective box, a second side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall on a second, opposite side of the protective box; and, 
 the actuator is positioned in the protective box and is protected by the protective box from the environment of the apparatus in use. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 thea first pin connecting the first jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin between a closed position of the first jaw relative to the base and an open position of the first jaw relative to the base; 
 thea second pin connecting the second jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin between a closed position of the second jaw relative to the base and an open position of the second jaw relative to the base; 
 a key tab on one of the first jaw and the second jaw; 
 a key slot on an other of the first jaw and the second jaw; and, 
 the key tab and the key slot being configured where with the first and second jaws moved to their closed positions for a digging operation, the key tab engages inside the key slot and securely attaches the first jaw and the second jaw together and prevents their moving relative to each other during a digging operation. 
 
     
     
       10. An object lifting, pulling and digging apparatus comprising:
 a base; 
 a first jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends, the first jaw being constructed as pivotally coupled to the base and including a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the first jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the first jaw adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw; 
 a second jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends the second jaw being constructed as pivotally coupled to the base and including a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the second jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the second jaw adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw; 
 a first pin connecting the first jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin relative to the base; 
 a second pin connecting the second jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin relative to the base; 
 a first saw tooth section secured on a too top surface of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the first jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the first saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the first jaw; 
 a second saw tooth section secured to a top surface of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the second jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the second saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the second jaw; 
 an actuator connected coupled to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw; 
 a first gear tooth section on positioned proximate to the base and rotating in concert with the first jaw; 
 a second gear tooth section on positioned proximate to the base and rotating in concert with the second jaw; and, 
 the first gear tooth section and the second gear tooth section being in mesh. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the first pin connecting the first jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin between a closed position of the first jaw relative to the base and an open position of the first jaw relative to the base; 
 the second pin connecting the second jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin between a closed position of the second jaw relative to the base and an open position of the second jaw relative to the base; 
 the first jaw has a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth; 
 the second jaw has a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth; and, 
 the straight section of gripping teeth of the first jaw engage with the straight section of gripping teeth of the second jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in their closed positions relative to the base and the curved section of gripping teeth of the first jaw and the curved section of gripping teeth of the second jaw do not engage with each other when the first jaw and the second jaw are moved to their closed positions relative to the base. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first digging tooth removably attached to the first jaw; and, 
 a second digging tooth removably attached to the second jaw. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first set of saw teeth on the first saw tooth section projecting generally vertically from the first jaw, a vertical projection of the first set of saw teeth from the first jaw increases as the first set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the first jaw toward the first pin; and, 
 a second set of saw teeth on the second saw tooth section projecting generally vertically from the second jaw, a vertical projection of the second set of saw teeth from the second jaw increases as the second set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the second jaw toward the second pin. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a protective box on the base, the protective box having a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the too top wall, a first side wall extending between the too top wall and the bottom wall on one side of the protective box, a second side wall extending between the too top wall and the bottom wall on a second, opposite side of the protective box; and, 
 the actuator is positioned in the protective box and is protected by the protective box from the environment of the apparatus in use. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the first pin connecting the first jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin between a closed position of the first jaw relative to the base and an open position of the first jaw relative to the base; 
 the second pin connecting the second jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin between a closed position of the second jaw relative to the base and an open position of the second jaw relative to the base; 
 a key tab on one of the first jaw and the second jaw; 
 a key slot on an other of the first jaw and the second jaw; and, 
 the key tab and the key slot being configured where with the first and second jaws move to their closed positions for a digging operation, the key tab engages inside the key slot to securely attach the first jaw and the second jaw together and prevent their moving relative to each other during a digging operation. 
 
     
     
       16. An object lifting, pulling and digging apparatus comprising:
 a base; 
 a first jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends, the first jaw having a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth, first jaw pivotally coupled to the base and having a section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the first jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the first jaw adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw; 
 a second jaw having a length with opposite proximal and distal ends, the second jaw having a straight section of gripping teeth and a curved section of gripping teeth, the second jaw pivotally coupled to the base and having a section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex of the triangular configuration at the distal end of the second jaw to a base of the triangular configuration at a proximal portion of the second jaw adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw; 
 a first pin connecting the first jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the first jaw for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin relative to the base; 
 a second pin connecting the second jaw to the base adjacent the proximal end of the second jaw for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin relative to the base; 
 a first saw tooth section secured on a too top surface of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the first jaw, the first saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the first jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the first saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the first saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the first jaw; 
 a second saw tooth section secured to a too top surface of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section projecting vertically upwardly from the length of the second jaw, the second saw tooth section being constructed as a single, generally flat panel with an elongate, triangular configuration that extends from an apex at a distal end of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section adjacent the apex of the triangular configuration of the second jaw, to a base of the triangular configuration of the second saw tooth section at a proximal portion of the second saw tooth section adjacent the proximal portion of the second jaw; and, 
 an actuator connected to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw configured to selectively pivot the first jaw relative to the second jaw. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first set of saw teeth projecting generally vertically from the first jaw, a vertical projection of the first set of saw teeth from the first jaw increases as the first set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the first jaw toward the a first pin pivotally coupling the first jaw to the base; and, 
 a second set of saw teeth projecting generally vertically from the second jaw, a vertical projection of the second set of saw teeth from the second jaw increases as the second set of saw teeth extends from the distal end of the second jaw toward the a second pin pivotally coupling the second jaw to the base. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first set of gear teeth on the first jaw; and, 
 a second set of gear teeth on the second jaw, the first set of gear teeth and the second set of gear teeth meshing with each other. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a protective box on the base, the protective box having a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the too top wall, a first side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall on one side of the protective box, a second side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall on a second, opposite side of the protective box; and, 
 the actuator is positioned in the protective box and is protected by the protective box from the environment of the apparatus in use. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 thea first pin connecting the first jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the first jaw about the first pin between a closed position of the first jaw relative to the base and an open position of the first jaw relative to the base; 
 thea second pin connecting the second jaw to the base for pivoting movement of the second jaw about the second pin between a closed position of the second jaw relative to the base and an open position of the second jaw relative to the base; 
 a key tab on one of the first jaw and the second jaw; 
 a key slot on an other of the first jaw and the second jaw; and, 
 the key tab and the key slot being configured where with the first and second jaws move to their closed positions for a digging operation, the key tab engages inside the key slot to securely attach the first jaw and the second jaw together and prevent their moving relative to each other during a digging operation.