Mystery Find: Can You Help Identify It?

[BillTre]

A friend of mine got this from an estate sale today.
We're trying to figure out what it is.

top view:

Side view lying flat, moving parts sticking out further than central part:

Center pulled up, moving parts pulled in toward center:

I'm think if used upside down, it could be lowered into a piece of vertical pipe and then if it is lifted up from the middle, in the upside down orientation, the moveable parts would expand to grab the pipe from the inside, so it could be lifted up. ?

Any thoughts?

 

[berkeman]

Maybe take a couple photos with a plain background, and then do a Google Images search on those photos?

 

[dlgoff]

Just a guess, but it looks like maybe some sort of boreing bit.

 

[BillTre]

Maybe take a couple photos with a plain background, and then do a Google Images search on those photos?

Tried that with no luck.
It thought it was a pile of wood.

 

[diogenesNY]

First impression: Looks sort of like an industrial strength broccoli steamer.

diogenesNY

 

[pedro the swift]

Centre piece to hold circus tent top?

 

[pedro the swift]

Device to lift pipe upright from inside?

 

[OCR]

Any thoughts?

Yeah, I've used those things before... and both of you are very close to the functional

description. . . .I need to modify your quotes just a bit, though.

I'm think if used upside down, it could be lowered into a piece of vertical pipe post hole and then if it is lifted up from the middle, in the upside down orientation, the moveable parts would expand to grab the pipe post hole from the inside, so it could be lifted up. ?

Device to lift pipe post hole upright from inside?

Yes, what you have there is . . . a post hole puller !
A very novel find,

Carry on. . . ..

.

 

[256bits]

The handle is missing.
Regular fabric mops used to wear out rather quickly when cleaning concrete.
This model lasts a very long time,
And gets the stains out.