SHINGLES REMOVAL TOOL

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of shingles removal, and more particularly to a shingles removal tool.

BACKGROUND

Removing shingles is a tedious task. Each shingle is maintained in place by a plurality of nails. But in addition to the nails required to maintain the shingle in place, superposed shingles also introduce further nails in the shingles underneath.

When removing shingles, roofers typically start at the bottom of the roof and make their way upwardly, work in rows or go from top to bottom. This however requires that superposed shingles are uninstalled sequentially over a usually large surface.

Shingles shovels are available on the market for assisting roofers lifting shingles from the roof while removing the nails securing the shingles in place. Those shovels remove shingles over the width of the shovel, and require a lot of energy and strength to manipulate. It is thus often necessary for roofers to work as a team to assist in the tedious process of removing roof shingles.

There is therefore a need for a new tool to facilitate and more efficiently remove shingles.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a shingle removal tool. The tool comprises a reciprocating mechanism, a blade, a counterweight, and a gearbox. The reciprocating mechanism is adapted for moving back and forth in opposite directions. The blade is attached to the reciprocating mechanism. The gearbox is adapted for connecting the reciprocating mechanism to an engagement mechanism. Upon actuation of the engagement mechanism, the blade and the counterweight move in opposite directions. In operation, the blade of the shingle removal tool slides under a shingle, lifts and removes the shingle and nails affixing the shingle.

In a particular aspect, the counterweight is attached parallel to the blade.

In another particular aspect, the blade defines a curve to assist in lifting shingles being removed.

In still another particular aspect, the blade defines a series of teeth.

In yet another particular aspect, the teeth are equidistant.

In a particular aspect, the teeth are of identical length.

In another particular aspect, the reciprocating mechanism comprises a top glide plate and a bottom glide plate.

In still another particular aspect, the engagement mechanism comprises a motor and an actuator.

In a particular aspect, the shingle removal tool further comprises a set of wheels, a sleeve, and a handlebar.

In another particular aspect, the shingle removal tool further comprises a motor controller for controlling operation of the motor.

In still another particular aspect, the shingle removal tool further comprises a brace for limiting a range of movement between the sleeve and the reciprocating mechanism.

In yet another particular aspect, the blade has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is upwardly curved and defines a series of teeth. A distance between each tooth is larger than a diameter of a shingle nail shaft and narrower than a diameter of a shingle nail head.

In a particular aspect, the back surface defines a series of support members for supporting the teeth. The support members are sized to assist in lifting a length of the shingle nail shaft from a surface in which the shingle nail shaft is engaged.

In another particular aspect, the shingle removal tool further comprises a gearbox. The reciprocating mechanism is connected to the gearbox. The gearbox is driven by the motor, and the gearbox transfers energy received from the motor to the reciprocating mechanism.

In still another particular aspect, the gearbox is positioned along a portion of the reciprocating mechanism.

In yet another particular aspect, in operation the gearbox moves the reciprocating mechanism in such a manner that both sides of the reciprocating mechanism moves in opposite directions. One side of the reciprocating mechanism moves towards the gearbox and the other side of the reciprocating mechanism moves away from the gearbox.

In another particular aspect, in operation the gearbox moves the reciprocating mechanism in such a manner that the gearbox simultaneously moves the blade and the counterweight in opposite directions.

In still another particular aspect, the motor is an electric powered motor, a gas powered motor, hydraulically or pneumatically powered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of an example of the shingle removal tool;

FIG. 1B is a perspective front view of another example of the shingle removal tool;

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of a mechanism portion of the shingle removal tool of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a perspective exploded view of the shingle removal tool of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of the shingle removal mechanism of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the shingle removal mechanism of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the blade of the shingle removal tool;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the shingle removal tool; and

FIG. 6 is a functional view of movements of the shovel and counterweight of the shingle removal tool and tool;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numerals represent like features on the various drawings.

Referring now concurrently to FIGS. 1-6, there are shown various illustrations of the present shingle removal tool. For clarity purposes, FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A refer to a first exemplary embodiment of the present shingle removal tool while FIGS. 1B, 2B and 3B refer to a second exemplary embodiment of the present shingle removal tool.

In the context of the present specification, the shingle removal tool is adapted for assisting a user in removing shingles affixed to a surface, such as a roof, by means of nails. Shingles and shingle nails are well known in the art, and may be used with or without an underlayed membrane. Shingles may come in different sizes and thicknesses. Shingle nails have a head larger than a shaft onto which the head is mounted.

In operation, the present shingle removal tool is adapted for assisting a user of the shingle removal tool in lifting shingles while removing shingle nails maintaining the shingles on the surface. The present shingle removal tool may be used to perform multiple passes to remove a length of shingles over a chosen width in multiple passes.

The present shingle removal tool (100) comprises a reciprocating mechanism, a blade (1), a counterweight (4), and a gearbox (17). The reciprocating mechanism is adapted for moving back and forth as shown on FIG. 6. The blade (1) is attached to one side of the reciprocating mechanism, for example by means of a blade arm (5). The counterweight (4) is attached to the other side of the reciprocating mechanism. The gearbox (17) is adapted for connecting the reciprocating mechanism to an engagement mechanism which will be discussed later. Upon actuation of the engagement mechanism, the blade (1) and the counterweight (4) move in opposite directions. This movement in opposite directions of the blade (1) and the counterweigh (4) enables the blade (1) to exert a frontal force to lift and remove shingles when the blade (1) is at least partially inserted under one of the shingles, and maintained in contact with the surface on which the shingles are affixed by the counterweight (6) pushed in the opposite direction of the blade (1). Although the present shingle removal tool is described as having a separate counterweight (4), i.e. a counterweight which is separate from the other components of the present shingle removal tool (100), those skilled in the art will understand that the counterweight (4) could be part of the gearbox (17), or of any of the other components of the shingle removal tool (100) which, by their inherent weight, could act as counterweight in the context of the present invention.

In the present figures, the reciprocating mechanism is illustrated as a pair of sliders configured in a top and bottom configuration, the present shingle removal tool (100) is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the reciprocating mechanism could be implemented by a linear bearing system, a pair of reciprocating mechanisms, a pair of sliders configured in any parallel configuration, such as for example: a top slider with a bottom slider, a slider on one side of the blade arm (5) and another slider on another side of the blade arm (5), both sliders positioned parallel under the blade arm (5) or above the blade arm (5), or any other configuration which may perform reciprocating of the blade (1) and the counterweight (4).

In the example illustrated in the Figures, which are provided for exemplary purposes only and not for limiting the present reciprocating mechanism in any way, the pair of sliders comprises a sliding blade and a support. For example, in the Figures, the top slider includes a top glide blade (2) and an upper support (3), while the bottom slider includes a bottom glide plate (8) and a bottom support (7). The supports (3 and 7) provide the primary support for the reciprocating components. The pair of sliders may be fabricated from materials known in the art for such components, including metals like steel or aluminum, or durable, low-friction polymers. The sliding action may be facilitated by linear bearings, bushings, or precision-machined surfaces on the sliders themselves. The combination of glide plate and support of each slider may be positioned in any of the configurations previously discussed. The upper support (3) and the bottom support (7) form or connect with a main chassis or frame for housing and aligning and securing the pair of sliders. These supports are typically fabricated from metal plate, structural tubing, or cast metal for rigidity.

The shingle removal tool (100) may also include a protection case (18). The protection case (18) serves as a housing to enclose for example: a motor (10), the gearbox (17), the reciprocating mechanism and other internal components, protecting them from debris and damage. The protection case (18) may be made of high-impact-resistant plastic, such as ABS or polycarbonate, carbon fiber, or lightweight metal alloys like cast aluminum.

The blade arm (5) provides a secure connection and transfers force to the blade (1). The blade arm (5) may be an integral part of the reciprocating mechanism or a separate, replaceable component that is bolted or welded in place. The blade (1) defines a frontal surface and a back surface. The frontal surface is curved, and more particularly upwardly curved. The curve of the front surface of the blade (1) assists in lifting shingles being removed. The blade (1) also defines a series of teeth. The teeth may be equidistant and of identical length. A distance between each tooth may be configured to be larger than a diameter of a shingle nail shaft and narrower than a diameter of a shingle nail head. This sizing allows the teeth to engage around the nail shaft and under the nail head. The back surface may define a series of support members for supporting the teeth. The support members are sized to assist in lifting a length of the shingle nail shaft from a surface in which the shingle nail shaft is engaged. The blade (1) may for example be fabricated from a wear-resistant material, such as hardened tool steel or carbide-tipped steel.

The counterweight (4) provides balance to the tool during operation by opposing the motion of the blade (1). The counterweight (4) is typically a solid block of dense material, such as for example steel or cast iron. In a particular aspect, the counterweight (4) is attached parallel to the blade (1). The counterweight (4) may be attached to the other side of the reciprocating mechanism via a counterweight arm (6). The counterweight arm (6) is constructed to securely hold the counterweight (4) and transfer the reciprocating motion. The counterweight arm (6) may be designed to position the counterweight (4) for optimal balance within the protection case (18).

The gearbox links the reciprocating mechanism to the engagement mechanism, transferring force to create the moving motion. The gearbox may be a mechanical linkage, such as a connecting rod, arm, or part of a drive system. The engagement mechanism provides the motive force for the tool. In a particular aspect, the engagement mechanism comprises the motor (10) and an actuator. The actuator translates power from the motor (10) into the reciprocating motion. Such actuators may include, for example, a scotch yoke, a crank-and-slider mechanism, or a cam-driven system. The motor (10), the actuator, and the gearbox may be components of a drivetrain.

In one aspect, the shingle removal tool (100) may further comprise a motor controller (15) for controlling operation of the motor (10). The motor controller (15) may be adapted for managing parameters such as speed, torque, or start/stop functions, and may be integrated into a handle (13) or the handlebar (14). The motor (10) is, for example, an electric powered motor or a gas powered motor. Electric powered motors may be corded AC motors or cordless DC motors powered by a battery (11). The battery (11) may be a rechargeable lithium-ion pack, or other portable power source known in the art, and may be detachable from the shingle removal tool (100) for charging or connected for charging while in the shingle removal tool (100).

The gearbox (17) is driven by the motor (10). The gearbox (17) transfers energy received from the motor (10) to the reciprocating mechanism. The gearbox (17) may be positioned along a portion of a length of the reciprocating mechanism. In this configuration, in operation the gearbox (17) moves the reciprocating mechanism in such a manner that both sides of the reciprocating mechanism move in opposite directions. One side of the reciprocating mechanism moves the blade (1) and the other side of the reciprocating mechanism moves the counterweight (4).

In a particular configuration where the reciprocating mechanism is implemented as a pair of sliders, the gearbox (17) may be sandwiched between the pair of sliders. One slider is above the gearbox (17) and the other slider is below the gearbox (17). In this arrangement, in operation the gearbox (17) slides the pair of sliders in such a manner that both sliders move away from the gearbox (17) concurrently or both sliders move toward the gearbox (17) concurrently.

The shingle removal tool (100) may also include components for handling and maneuverability. In a particular aspect, the shingle removal tool (100) further comprises a set of wheels (9), a sleeve, and the handlebar (14). The handlebar (14) allows an operator to hold and guide the tool. The shingle removal tool (100) may also include the handle (13). The handle (13) may be an independent or a secondary grip, distinct from the handlebar (14), to assist in lifting or positioning the shingle removal tool (100). The handle (13) may feature an ergonomic, overmolded grip for comfort. The set of wheels (9) facilitates moving the shingle removal tool (100) across a work surface. The sleeve may form part of the main chassis or frame of the tool. The shingle removal tool (100) may further comprise a limit strap (12) for limiting a range of movement between the sleeve and the reciprocating mechanism. The limit strap (12) prevents over-extension of the sliding mechanism and damage to the components.

Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments may be modified at will within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.