Arthur A Orofino

US Patent:

46417150, Feb 10, 1987

Filed:

Sep 23, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/535042

Inventors:

Donald B. Stinson - Farmington MI
Arthur A. Orofino - Farmington MI

Assignee:

New Product, Inc. - Farmington MI

International Classification:

B25D 1706

US Classification:

173129

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed for driving or retracting ground rods or other rod-like members and preferably includes an element for forcibly urging a body portion in longitudinal directions generally parallel to the rod or rod-like member being driven or extracted, opposed jaw members slidably connected to the body portion for receiving rod or other item to be driven therebetween, and abutment members fixed to the body portion for forcibly urging the jaw members laterally toward one another into a gripping engagement with the rod, thereby forcibly urging the jaw members and the rod or rod-like member in a driving longitudinal direction. The body portion of the ground rod driving or extracting apparatus is preferably interlockingly connectable to various adapter or anvil apparatus for use with either manual or powered force-applying devices and for interchangeable use with such devices in either rod-driving or rod-retracting operations. The body portion of the apparatus also preferably includes guide and alignment mechanisms for maintaining the jaw members in both longitudinal and lateral alignment with one another as they are urged toward and away from the rod.