Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02567962 2006-11-14
TITLE: APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SHINGLES AND SHINGLE
FASTENERS FROM A ROOF
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to removal of roofing
material and, more particularly, to an apparatus for
removing shingles and shingle fasteners from a roof.
Background of the invention
Manual removal of roofing material, including shingle and
shingle fasteners, from a roof is a physically demanding
process. Workers involved in such manual removal often
suffer from pain and/or injuries in particular to their
backs, arms and elbows as a result of the removal process.
Apparatuses have been developed for mechanically removing
roofing material from a roof in an effort to mitigate the
deleterious effects of manual removal of roofing material.
However, existing apparatuses suffer from multiple
drawbacks. For instance, existing apparatuses typically
strip pieces of shingles off from a roof in a somewhat
random fashion whereby the stripped pieces of shingles
randomly accumulate on the apparatuses and/or randomly drop
back onto the roof in a disorganized manner. This random
and disorganized removal process typically results in
frequent interruptions of the removal process and/or
requires increased effort for gathering and disposing of
the removed roofing material.
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Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for
improvements in apparatuses for removing shingles and
shingle fasteners from a roof.
Suaanary of the invention
In accordance with a first broad aspect, the invention
provides an apparatus for removing shingles and shingle
fasteners from a roof. The apparatus comprises a frame and
a driver unit coupled to the frame, the driver unit
including at least one motor. The apparatus also comprises
a stripping unit coupled to the frame. The stripping unit
is adapted to lift shingles off from a roof and to extract
shingle fasteners out of the roof as the apparatus moves on
the roof. The apparatus also comprises a pair of cutters
coupled to the driver unit, the driver unit being operative
to drive the pair of cutters. The pair of cutters are
adapted to cut the shingles lifted off from the roof by the
stripping unit to produce a strip of shingle material. The
strip of shingle material includes portions of the shingles
lifted off from the roof by the stripping unit that are
interconnected by at least one of the shingle fasteners
extracted out of the roof by the stripping unit.
In accordance with a second broad aspect, the invention
provides an apparatus for removing shingles and shingle
fasteners from a roof. The apparatus comprises a frame and
driving means coupled to the frame, the driver means
including at least one motor. The apparatus also comprises
stripping means coupled to the frame. The stripping means
is adapted to lift shingles off from a roof and to extract
shingle fasteners out of the roof as the apparatus moves on
the roof. The apparatus also comprises cutting means
coupled to the driving means, the driving means being
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operative to drive the cutting means. The cutting means is
adapted to cut the shingles lifted off from the roof by the
stripping means to produce a strip of shingle material. The
strip of shingle material includes portions of the shingles
lifted off from the roof by the stripping means that are
interconnected by at least one of the shingle fasteners
extracted out of the roof by the stripping means.
In accordance with a third broad aspect, the invention
provides a method for removing shingles and shingle
fasteners from a roof. The method comprises lifting
shingles off from a roof and extracting shingle fasteners
out of the roof using a stripping unit. The method also
comprises cutting the shingles lifted off from the roof by
the stripping unit to produce a strip of shingle material.
The strip of shingle material includes portions of the
shingles lifted off from the roof by the stripping unit
that are interconnected by at least one of the shingle
fasteners extracted out of the roof by the stripping unit.
In accordance with a fourth broad aspect, the invention
provides an apparatus for removing shingles and shingle
fasteners from a roof. The apparatus comprises a frame and
a driver unit coupled to the frame, the driver unit
including at least one motor. The apparatus also comprises
a traction unit coupled to the driver unit, the driver unit
being operative to drive the traction unit. The traction
unit is operative to move the apparatus on a roof when
driven by the driver unit. The apparatus also comprises a
stripping unit coupled to the frame, the stripping unit
being adapted to lift shingles off from the roof and to
extract shingle fasteners out of the roof as the apparatus
moves on the roof. The apparatus also comprises a pair of
cutters coupled to the driver unit, the driver unit being
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operative to drive the pair of cutters. The pair of cutters
being adapted to cut the shingles lifted off from the roof
by the stripping unit to produce a strip of shingle
material. The strip of shingle material includes portions
of the shingles lifted off from the roof by the stripping
unit that are interconnected by at least one of the shingle
fasteners extracted out of the roof by the stripping unit.
These and other aspects and features of the present
invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art upon review of the following description
of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
A detailed description of specific embodiments of the
present invention is provided herein below, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Figure 1A is a diagrammatic perspective view of an
apparatus for removing shingles and shingle fasteners from
a roof, in accordance with a first specific example of
implementation of the present invention;
Figure lB is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a
driver unit, a stripping unit, a pair of cutters, a pulling
unit, and a shredding unit of the apparatus shown in Figure
1A;
Figure 1C is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portion
of the stripping unit of the apparatus shown in Figures 1A
and 1B;
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Figure 1D is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the
driver unit, the stripping unit, the pair of cutters, the
pulling unit, and the shredding unit of the apparatus shown
in Figures 1A and 1B;
Figure 1E is a diagrammatic perspective view of a component
of the shredding unit of the apparatus shown in Figures 1A
and 1B;
Figure 1F is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portion
of the shredding unit of the apparatus shown in Figures lA,
1B and 1E;
Figure 1G is a diagrammatic perspective view of a variant
example of implementation of the component of the shredding
unit of the apparatus shown in Figure 1E;
Figure 1H is a diagrammatic end elevation view of the
component of the shredding unit of the apparatus shown in
Figure 1G;
Figure 2A is a diagrammatic front perspective view of an
apparatus for removing shingles and shingle fasteners from
a roof, in accordance with a second specific example of
implementation of the present invention;
Figure 2B is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the
apparatus shown in Figure 2A, with a steering unit of the
apparatus in a compact configuration;
Figure 3A is a diagrammatic perspective view of an
apparatus for removing shingles and shingle fasteners from
a roof, in accordance with a third specific example of
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implementation of the present invention;
Figure 3B is a diagrammatic perspective view of the
apparatus shown in Figure 3A in operation on a roof;
Figure 4A is a diagrammatic perspective view of an
apparatus for removing shingles and shingle fasteners from
a roof, in accordance with a fourth specific example of
implementation of the present invention; and
Figure 4B is a diagrammatic perspective view of the
apparatus shown in Figure 4A in operation on a roof.
In the drawings, the embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly
understood that the description and drawings are only for
the purpose of illustration and are an aid for
understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of
the limits of the invention.
Detailed description
Figures lA to 1F show an apparatus 10 for removing shingles
121...12n and shingle fasteners 141...14m from a roof 16, in
accordance with a first specific example of implementation
of the present invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a
frame 18, a driver unit 22, a stripping unit 24, and a pair
of cutters 261 and 262. In this specific example of
implementation, the apparatus 10 also optionally comprises
a steering unit 20, a set of traction wheels 281...284r a
pulling unit 30, a shredding unit 31, and a shingle
material collector 32.
As described in further detail below, when the apparatus 10
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moves on the roof 16 in a given direction 17, the driver
unit 22, the stripping unit 24, and the pair of cutters 26
interact to lift the shingles 121...12n off from the roof 16
and to extract the shingles fasteners 141...14m out of the
roof 16 in such a manner as to produce a "continuous" strip
of shingle material. The strip of shingle material includes
a plurality of shingle portions of the shingles 121...12n that
have been lifted off from the roof 16 and that are
interconnected by one or more of the shingle fasteners
141...14m that have been extracted out of the roof 16. Each
shingle portion of the plurality of shingle portions in the
strip of shingle material either includes an entire one of
the shingles 121...12n or includes only a portion of one of
the shingles 121...12n.
Advantageously, the production of the strip of shingle
material facilitates handling and disposal of the shingles
121...12n and the shingles fasteners 141...14m as they are
removed from the roof 16. In the non-limiting example of
implementation shown in Figures lA to 1F, the strip of
shingle material is fed to the shredding unit 31 where it
is shred to pieces that are collected in the shingle
material collector 32. In other examples of implementation,
the shredding unit 31 and the shingle material collector 32
are not included, in which case the strip of shingle
material can be handled in various possible manners. For
instance, the strip of shingle material can emerge through
an outlet of the apparatus 10 and can be manually disposed
of (as described below in connection with Figures 2A, 2B,
3A, 3B, 4A and 4B).
With continued reference to Figures 1A to lF, the steering
unit 20 is coupled to the frame 18 and is adapted to enable
a user to steer the apparatus 10 on the roof 16.
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Advantageously, the steering unit 20 can be adapted to
acquire a compact configuration to reduce the space
required for storing and/or transporting the apparatus 10
when not in use. For example, the steering unit 20 can be
adapted to acquire a compact configuration by being folded
onto itself (as described below in connection with Figure
2A and 2B).
The driver unit 22 is coupled to the frame 18 and is
operative to drive the stripping unit 24 and the pair of
cutters 261 and 262. In this specific example of
implementation, the driver unit 22 is also operative to
drive the pulling unit 30, the traction wheels 281...284r and
the shredding unit 31.
The driver unit 22 includes at least one motor and driving
elements coupling the at least one motor to the stripping
unit 24, the pair of cutters 261 and 262, the pulling unit
30, the traction wheels 281...284r and the shredding unit 31.
In the non-limiting example of implementation shown, the at
least one motor includes a first motor 341 and a second
motor 342, which can each be an internal combustion engine
or an electric motor. If an electric motor is used, it can
be powered by an electric cable connecting it to an
electrical outlet or by a battery pack directly coupled to
the electric motor. Also, in this non-limiting example of
implementation, the driving elements include a plurality of
shafts 361...365 and mechanical links.
Although the driving elements of the driver unit 22 in the
example of implementation of Figures 1A to 1F are purely
mechanical, it is to be understood that various other types
of elements, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or
electromechanical elements, can also be used to implement
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the driver unit 22 without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
With particular reference to Figures 1A to 1D, the
stripping unit 24 is coupled to the driver unit 22. The
driver unit 22 is operative to alternately move the
stripping unit 24 between two positions. The stripping unit
24 is adapted to lift the shingles 121...12n off from the roof
16 and to extract the shingles fasteners 141...14m out of the
roof 16 as the stripping unit 24 alternately moves between
the two positions and the apparatus 10 moves on the roof
16. That is, as the apparatus 10 moves on the roof 16 in
the direction 17, the configuration and the alternating
motion of the stripping unit 24 causes the stripping unit
24 to progressively lift the shingles 121...12õ off from the
roof 16 and extract the shingles fasteners 141...14m out of
the roof 16.
In the particular example of implementation shown, the
alternating-motion of the stripping unit 24 is generated by
the driver unit 22 as follows. The first motor 341 is
coupled to the shaft 361 and is operative to rotate the
shaft 361 about its axis. An offset fitting 38 is secured on
an end portion of the shaft 361 and a bearing 39 is rollably
mounted on the offset fitting 38. Furthermore, a link 40 is
provided with an opening 41 and an arm 42, the arm 42 being
received and free to move in a linear bearing 43 secured to
the frame 18. The opening 41 has a small dimension d
generally corresponding to a diameter D of the bearing 39.
Although not shown in Figures 1A to 1D, a similar offset
fitting-bearing-link-linear bearing assembly is mounted at
the other end portion of the shaft 361.
Rotation of the first shaft 361 by the first motor 341
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results in rotation of the offset fitting 38, which in turn
moves the bearing 39. The movement of the bearing 39 in
turn causes a reciprocating motion (as indicated by arrow
44 in Figure 1D) of the arm 42 of the link 41, which is
kept in line by the linear bearing 43. The stripping unit
24 is coupled to the arm 42 and is thus also reciprocated.
In the non-limiting example of implementation of Figures 1A
to 1D, the stripping unit 24 has an upper section 45
coupled to arm 42 and a lower section 46 defining a series
of teeth 48 generally adjacent and parallel to each other.
In this example of implementation, the series of teeth 48
define a plane at a non-zero angle 6 relative to the roof
16 such as to enable the teeth 48 to reach under the
shingles 121...12n and lift the shingles 121...12n off from the
roof 16 and extract the shingle fasteners 141-14m out of the
roof.
In the example of implementation shown, the shingle
fasteners 141...14m are nails. Advantageously, the distance H
between the teeth 48 at a location adjacent the upper
section 45 and the roof 16 is greater than or equal to the
length of a standard shingle nail. Also, the spacing S
between adjacent ones of the teeth 48 is greater than the
diameter of a shank of the nails 141...14m but less than the
width of a head of the nails 141...14m. It is to be
understood, however, that the shingle fasteners 141...14m can
be nails, staples or any other fasteners used for fixing
shingles on a roof, and that the apparatus 10 of the
present invention can be used to remove shingles fixed on
a roof with any type of shingle fasteners.
It will be appreciated that Figures 1A to 1D illustrate one
possible example of implementation of the stripping unit 24
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and that various other implementations are possible for the
stripping unit 24 without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Furthermore, while in the example of
implementation of Figures 1A to 1D the driver unit 22 is
adapted to impart a rectilinear reciprocating motion to the
stripping unit 24, it is to be understood that, generally,
the driver unit 22 can be adapted to impart any alternating
motion of the stripping unit 24 between two positions. For
instance, in other examples of implementation, the driver
unit 22 can be adapted to alternately pivot the stripping
unit 24 between two positions. In yet other examples of
implementation, the driver unit 22 can be adapted to
alternately move the stripping unit 24 between two
positions along a path having a rectilinear portion and a
curvilinear portion.
With continued reference to Figures 1A to 1D, the cutters
261 and 262 are coupled to the driver unit 22, the driver
unit 22 being operative to drive the cutters 261 and 262.
The cutters 261 and 262 are adapted to cut the shingles
121...12n lifted off from the roof 16 by the stripping unit 22
to produce a strip of shingle material. As mentioned
previously, the strip of shingle material includes a
plurality of shingle portions of the shingles 121...12õ that
have been lifted off from the roof 16 and that are
interconnected by one or more of the shingle fasteners
141...14m that have been extracted out of the roof 16. Each
shingle portion of the plurality of shingle portions in the
strip of shingle material either includes an entire one of
the shingles 121...12n or includes only a portion of one of
the shingles 121...12n.
While it is possible that the strip of shingle material
produced by the apparatus 10 includes shingle portions of
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all of the shingles 121...12n interconnected by multiple ones
of the shingle fasteners 141...14m, the apparatus 10 will be
deemed to operate satisfactorily if the strip of shingle
material produced includes at least a portion of a first
shingle of the shingles 121...12n that is connected to at
least a portion of a second shingle of the shingles 121...12n
by at least one shingle fastener of the shingle fasteners
141...14m extracted out of the roof 16 by the stripping unit
24. For instance, the apparatus 10 would be deemed to
operate satisfactorily if the strip of shingle material
included at least a portion of the shingle 121 that is
connected to at least a portion of the shingle 122 by the
shingle fastener 141.
In the specific example of implementation shown, each one
of the cutters 261 and 262 is a rotary cutter coupled to the
shaft 362. The second motor 342 is coupled to the shaft 362
and is operative to rotate the shaft 362 about its axis,
thereby rotating the cutters 261 and 262. The cutters 261
and 262 are spaced apart from each other by a certain
distance such that the strip of shingle material has a
width substantially corresponding to the certain distance
between the cutters 261 and 262. In this particular
embodiment, the distance between the cutters 261 and 262 is
such that the stripping unit 24 is positioned between the
cutters 261 and 262. Advantageously, the position of the
shaft 362 relative to the frame 18 is adjustable to select
the position at which the cutters 261 and 262 begin to cut
the shingles 121...12n lifted off from the roof 16 by the
stripping unit 22 to produce the strip of shingle material.
Although in the specific example of implementation of
Figures 1A to 1D the cutters are rotary cutters, it will be
appreciated that the cutters 261 and 262 can be implemented
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using various other types of cutters without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
With continued reference to Figures 1A to 1D, the pulling
unit 30 is coupled to the driver unit 22, the driver unit
22 being operative to rotate the pulling unit 30. The
pulling unit 30 in rotation is operative to pull the strip
of shingle material away from the pair of cutters 261 and
2 62 .
In the specific example of implementation shown, the
pulling unit 30 is coupled to the shaft 363. The second
motor 342 is coupled to the shaft 363 and is operative to
rotate the shaft 363 about its axis, thereby rotating the
pulling unit 30. In this particular embodiment, the pulling
unit 30 includes a plurality of arms 501...504 adapted to
sequentially engage and pull the strip of shingle material
as the pulling unit 30 rotates. The arms 501...504 are
configured to extend substantially the entire distance
between the pair of cutters 261 and 262.
Advantageously, the pulling unit 30 acts as a guide to
direct the strip of shingle material being produced away
from the pair of cutters 261 and 262 and into a specific
direction relative to the frame 18. In the non-limiting
example of implementation shown in Figures 1 to 6, the
pulling unit 30 directs the strip of shingle material to
the shredding unit 31.
As another advantage, the pulling unit 30 in rotation being
operative to pull the strip of shingle material away from
the pair of cutters 261 and 262 generates a force for moving
the apparatus 10 in the direction 17 on the roof 16. That
is, the pulling force exerted by the pulling unit 30 on the
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strip of shingle material represents a force that tends to
move the apparatus 10 in the direction 17 on the roof 16.
In other words, the pulling unit 30 uses the shingle
materials to be removed from the roof 16 to move, or at
least contribute to the motion of, the apparatus 10 in the
direction 17 on the roof 16.
It will be appreciated that Figures 1A to 1D illustrate one
possible example of implementation of the pulling unit 30
and that various other implementations are possible for the
pulling unit 30 without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
With reference to Figures 1A to 1F, the shredding unit 31
is operative to shred the strip of shingle material
produced by the stripping unit 24 and the pair of cutters
261 and 262. In the particular example of implementation
shown, the shredding unit 31 includes a plurality of blades
521...52k connected to the shaft 361 and a barrier 53 defining
a plurality of grooves 541...54p each registering with a
respective one of the plurality of blades 521...52k. Rotation
of the first shaft 361 by the first motor 341 rotates the
plurality of blades 521...52k into the plurality of grooves
541...54p so as to shred the strip of shingle material,
including the shingle fasteners 141...14m extracted from the
roof 16.
In the specific example of implementation shown in Figures
1A to 1F, the plurality of blades 521...52k are removably
connected to the shaft 361. More specifically, as shown in
Figure 1E, the shaft 361 defines a first series of grooves
561...56q and a second series of grooves 571...57q. Each one of
the grooves 561...56q is in register with a respective one of
grooves 571...57q for receiving a respective one of the blades
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521...52k. Each one of the blades 521...52k defines a U-shaped
opening 61 and has a first arm 621r a second arm 622, a
first cutting tool 661 or the like mounted on an end portion
of the first arm 621r and a second cutting tool 662 or the
like mounted on an end portion of the second arm 622. Each
one of the blades 521...52k also has an extension 64 pivotable
between an open position and a closed position. In the open
position, the extension 64 of a particular blade of the
blades 521...52kallows the particular blade to be mounted on
or removed from the shaft 361. A locking element 65 is
adapted to lock the extension 64 in the closed position to
secure the particular blade on the shaft 361.
Figures lG and 1H illustrate a variant example of
implementation for the blades 521...52k and their arrangement
on the shaft 361. In this example of implementation, each
one of the blades 521...52k only has a first arm 621 and a
first cutting tool 661 or the like mounted on an end portion
of the first arm 621. Furthermore, the first series of
grooves 561...56q and the second series of grooves 571...57q are
circumferentially spaced apart such that the blades 521...52k
are mounted on the shaft 361 so as to collectively define a
helix configuration.
It will be appreciated that Figures 1A to 1H illustrate one
possible example of implementation of the shredding unit 31
and that various other implementations are possible for the
shredding unit 31 without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
With reference to Figures IA to 1D, the shingle material
collector 32 is removably coupled to the frame 18 and is
adapted to collect shredded material produced by the
shredding unit 31. The shingle material collector 32 can be
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implemented using a container having an opening for
receiving the shredded material produced by the shredding
unit 31.
Finally, with continued reference to Figures 1A to 1D, each
one of the traction wheels 281...284 is coupled to the driver
unit 22. The driver unit 22 is operative to drive each one
of the traction wheels 281...289 to move the apparatus 10 in
the direction 17 on the roof 16. In the particular example
of implementation shown, the traction wheels 281 and 282 are
coupled to the shaft 364 and the traction wheels 283 and 284
are coupled to the shaft 365. The second motor 342 is
coupled to the shafts 364 and 365 and is operative to rotate
the shafts 364 and 365 about their respective axis, thereby
driving the traction wheels 281...284. Advantageously, each
one of the traction wheels 281...284 is provided with a
plurality of wheel teeth 74 to enhance traction of the
traction wheels 281...284 on the roof 16.
It will thus be appreciated that the various components of
the apparatus 10 interact in order to efficiently remove
the shingles 121...12n and the shingle fasteners 141...14m from
the roof 16 and to facilitate disposal of the removed
material. The apparatus 10 is positioned at a lower level
on the roof 16 with the teeth 48 of the stripping unit 24
wedged between at least a first shingle, say the shingle
121r of the shingles 121...12t, to be removed and the roof 16.
Through activation of the first and second motors 341 and
342, the driver unit 22 is activated in order to drive the
stripping unit 24, the pair of cutters 261 and 262, the
pulling unit 30, the traction wheels 281...284r and the
shredding unit 31.
The driven traction wheels 281...284 move the apparatus 10 in
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the direction 17 on the roof 16, the steering unit 20
enabling a user to steer the apparatus in the desired
direction 17. As the apparatus 10 moves on the roof 16, the
reciprocating motion of the stripping unit 24 imparted by
the driver unit 22 causes the stripping unit 24 to
progressively separate and lift the shingles 121...12n off
from the roof 16 and to extract the shingle fasteners
141...14m out of the roof 16. At the same time, the pair of
cutters 261 and 262 driven by the driver unit 22
continuously cut the shingles 121...12n lifted off from the
roof 16 by the stripping unit 22 to produce a strip of
shingle material. The pulling unit 30 rotated by the driver
unit 22 pulls on the strip of shingle material such as to
direct the strip of shingle material away from the pair of
cutters 261 and 262 and towards the shredding unit 31.
Advantageously, the pulling force exerted by the pulling
unit 30 on the strip of shingle material represents a force
that tends to move the apparatus 10 in the direction 17 on
the roof 16. Finally, the shredding unit 31 shreds the
strip of shingle material into pieces that are collected in
the shingle material collector 32.
Figures 2A and 2B show an apparatus 110 for removing
shingles 121...12n and shingle fasteners 141...14m from a roof
16, in accordance with a second specific example of
implementation of the present invention. The apparatus 110
comprises a frame 118, a steering unit 120, a driver unit
122, a stripping unit 124, and a pair of cutters 1261 and
1262. In this specific example of implementation, the
apparatus 110 also optionally comprises a set of traction
wheels 1281...1284 and a pulling unit 130. The frame 118, the
steering unit 120, the driver unit 122, the stripping unit
124, the pair of cutters 1261 and 1262, the set of traction
wheels 128, ... 1284, and the pulling unit 130 have the same
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function as the frame 18, the steering unit 20, the driver
unit 22, the stripping unit 24, the pair of cutters 261 and
262, the set of traction wheels 281...284 and the pulling unit
30, respectively, of the apparatus 10 described previously
in connection with Figures 1A to 1D.
In the example of implementation of Figures 2A and 2B, the
steering unit 120 is adapted to acquire a compact
configuration to reduce the space required for storing
and/or transporting the apparatus 110 when not in use. As
shown in Figure 2B, the steering unit 120 is adapted to
acquire a compact configuration by being folded onto
itself. Furthermore, in this specific example of
implementation, the pulling unit 130 includes a plurality
of rollers 1501...1505 adapted to contact and pull the strip
of shingle material as the pulling unit 130 is driven by
the driver unit 122. The apparatus 110 also includes a set
of wheels 1601...1604 rotatably coupled to the frame 118 to
allow the apparatus 110 to be rollably moved on the roof 16
or any other surface.
In this particular embodiment, the strip of shingle
material is guided by the pulling unit 130 so as to exit
through an outlet 155 of the apparatus 110. The strip of
shingle material then falls back onto the roof 16 where it
can be simultaneously or subsequently rolled up into a roll
of shingle material by manual means, for example.
Figures 3A and 3B show an apparatus 210 for removing
shingles 121...12n and shingle fasteners 141...14m from a roof
16, in accordance with a third specific example of
implementation of the present invention. The apparatus 210
comprises a frame 218, a steering unit 220, a driver unit
222, a stripping unit 224, and a pair of cutters 2261 and
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2262, and an optional pulling unit 230. The frame 218, the
steering unit 220, the driver unit 222, the stripping unit
224, the pair of cutters 2261 and 2262, and the pulling unit
230 have the same function as the frame 18, the steering
unit 20, the driver unit 22, the stripping unit 24, the
pair of cutters 261 and 262, and the pulling unit 30,
respectively, of the apparatus 10 described previously in
connection with Figures lA to 1D.
The apparatus 210 shown in the example of implementation of
Figures 3A and 3B is smaller in size and thus lighter than
the apparatuses 10 and 110 shown in Figures 1A to 1F and 2A
and 2B. Furthermore, in this specific example of
implementation, the pulling unit 130 includes a roller 250
adapted to contact and pull the strip of shingle material
as the pulling unit 230 is driven by the driver unit 222.
Advantageously, the roller 250 is provided with a plurality
of protuberances 2551...255r for gripping the strip of shingle
material. In this case, the protuberances 2551...255r extend
longitudinally on the roller 250. In addition, the roller
250 is spring-loaded for biasing the roller 250 towards the
strip of shingle material in order to maintain contact
between the roller 250 and the strip of shingle material.
Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the
apparatus 210 can include a pair of traction wheels coupled
to the driver unit 22 and operative to move the apparatus
210 on the roof 16. Advantageously, each one of the cutters
2261 and 2262 can be provided with an extension adapted to
contact the roof 16 for providing the functionality of a
traction wheel.
In this particular embodiment, similar to that described in
connection with Figures 2A and 2B, the strip of shingle
material is guided by the pulling unit 230 so as to exit
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through an outlet of the apparatus 210. The strip of
shingle material then falls back onto the roof 16, as shown
in Figure 3B, where it can be simultaneously or
subsequently rolled up into a roll of shingle material by
manual means, for example.
Figures 4A and 4B show an apparatus 310 for removing
shingles 121...12n and shingle fasteners 141...14m from a roof
16, in accordance with a fourth specific example of
implementation of the present invention. The apparatus 310
comprises a frame 318, a steering unit 320, a driver unit
322, a stripping unit 324, and a pair of cutters 3261 and
3262. In this specific example of implementation, the
apparatus 310 also comprises a traction unit 350. The frame
318, the steering unit 320, the driver unit 322, and the
pair of cutters 3261 and 3262 provide the same functionality
as the frame 18, the steering unit 20, the driver unit 22,
and the pair of cutters 261 and 262, respectively, of the
apparatus 10 described previously in connection with
Figures 1A to 1D. Furthermore, although not shown in the
non-limiting embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B, the apparatus
310 may also include components having the same
functionality as the shredding unit 31 and the shingle
material collector 32 of the apparatus 10 described
previously in connection with Figures 1A to 1D.
In this non-limiting embodiment, the stripping unit 324 is
not coupled to the driver unit 322 so as to be alternately
moved between two positions. Rather, in this non-limiting
embodiment, the stripping unit 324 is fixed relative to the
frame 318 during use of the apparatus 310. However, it is
to be understood that, in other examples of implementation,
the stripping unit 324 may be coupled to the driver unit
322 so as to be alternately moved between two positions as
CA 02567962 2006-11-14
described above in respect of the embodiments depicted in
Figures 1A to 3B.
In this specific example of implementation, the stripping
unit 324 may have a configuration as described previously
in respect of the non-limiting embodiment of the stripping
unit 24 depicted in Figure 1C.
The stripping unit 324 is adapted to lift the shingles
121...12n off from the roof 16 and to extract the shingles
fasteners 141...14m out of the roof 16 as the apparatus 310
moves on the roof 16. That is, as the apparatus 310 moves
on the roof 16 in the direction 19, the configuration of
the stripping unit 324 is such that forces exerted on the
shingles 121...12n and the shingles fasteners 141...14m by the
stripping unit 324 cause progressive lifting of the
shingles 121...12n off from the roof 16 and extraction of the
shingles fasteners 141...14m out of the roof 16. In this non-
limiting example, motion of the apparatus 310 on the roof
16 which results in the necessary forces being exerted by
the stripping unit 324 on the shingles 121...12n and the
shingles fasteners 141...14m is induced by the traction unit
350.
The traction unit 350 is coupled to the driver unit 322 and
is operative to move the apparatus 310 on the roof 16. In
this particular case, the traction unit 350 is operative to
move the apparatus 310 on the roof 16 in such a way that
the stripping unit 324 exerts forces on the shingles 121...12n
and the shingles fasteners 141...14m that induce progressive
lifting of the shingles 121...12n off from the roof 16 and
extraction of the shingles fasteners 141...14m out of the roof
16.
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In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B,
the traction unit 350 includes a winding mechanism
operative for winding a cable 358 relative to the frame
318. In this particular case, the winding mechanism
includes a drum 370 mounted on a shaft 374 of the driver
unit 322. Upon activation of the driver unit 322, the shaft
374 is driven in rotation so as to rotate the drum 370,
thereby causing the cable 358 to be wound on the drum 370.
The cable 358 has an end portion 360 adapted to be
detachably coupled to an anchoring element 364 removably
affixed on a relatively higher portion (e.g. a ridge
portion) of the roof 16. The cable 358 has a length
sufficient such that it can extend between a relatively
higher portion (e.g. a ridge portion) of the roof 16 and a
relatively lower portion (e.g. a gutter edge portion) of
the roof 16. The cable 358 may be made of any suitable
material (e.g. steel) and may be implemented as a chain or
any other element capable of being under tension and of
being wound.
Thus, when the end portion 360 of the cable 358 is coupled
to the anchoring element 364 affixed on a relatively higher
portion (e.g. a ridge portion) of the roof 16 and the
apparatus 310 is positioned at a relatively lower portion
(e.g. a gutter edge portion) of the roof 16 with the
stripping unit 324 wedged between one or more first
shingles, activation of the driver unit 322 causes the drum
370 to rotate relative to the frame 318, thereby causing
winding of the cable 358 on the drum 370. With the end
portion 360 of the cable 358 fixed relative to the roof 16,
winding of the cable 358 on the drum 370 results in motion
of the apparatus 310 from the lower portion of the roof 16
towards the higher portion of the roof 16. That is, the
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apparatus 310 pulls itself up along the roof 16.
As the apparatus 310 pulls itself up along the roof 16
under action of the traction unit 350, the stripping unit
324 exerts forces on the shingles 121...12õ and the shingles
fasteners 141...14m that cause progressive separation (by
wedging) and lifting of the shingles 121...12n off from the
roof 16 and extraction of the shingles fasteners 141...14m out
of the roof 16. In order to ensure proper separation and
lifting of the shingles 121...12õ and extraction of the
shingles fasteners 141...14m, the steering unit 320 may be
used to adjust the angle that the stripping unit 324 makes
with the roof 16. Also, the driver unit 322 is adapted to
deliver sufficient power such that motion of the apparatus
310 on the roof 16 under action of the traction unit 350
causes the stripping unit 324 to exert forces of sufficient
magnitude to obtain the desired separation, lifting and
extraction effects. For example, the driver unit 322 may be
capable of developing power in a range of one or a few
horsepower. This is not to be considered limiting in any
respect as power deliverable by the driver unit 322 may
take on various values that may depend on various factors
such as the type of roofing material to be removed, the
configuration, structure and material of the roof on which
the roofing material is to be removed, and the speed at
which removal of roofing material is to take place.
At the same time, the pair of cutters 3261 and 3262 driven
by the driver unit 322 continuously cut the shingles 121...12n
lifted off from the roof 16 by the stripping unit 322 to
produce a strip of shingle material. In this particular
embodiment, the strip of shingle material is guided by the
frame 318 to exit through an outlet at the rear of the
apparatus 310, as shown in Figure 4B. The strip of shingle
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material then falls back onto the roof 16 where it can be
simultaneously or subsequently rolled up into a roll of
shingle material by manual means, for example.
Upon reaching the relatively higher portion (e.g. the ridge
portion) of the roof 16, the traction unit 350 is disabled.
This may be done, for example, by manually deactivating the
driver unit 322. In another non-limiting example, the
driver unit 322 may include a clutch (e.g. a centrifugal
clutch) to automatically disable the traction unit 350. The
anchoring element 364 is detached and removed from its
current location and re-affixed on the roof 16 at an
adjacent location such that removal of other shingles and
shingle fasteners may take place. The apparatus 310 is then
moved back down at a relatively lower portion (e.g. a
gutter edge portion) of the roof 16. This may be done by
manually bringing the apparatus 310 down the roof 16.
Alternatively, in one non-limiting embodiment, the driver
unit 322 may be activated to drive the traction unit 350 in
reverse so as to automatically unwind the cable 358 from
the drum 370 in a controlled manner. Also, in some
embodiments, whether the apparatus 310 is brought down
manually or by action of the driver unit 322, the traction
unit 350 may include a safety mechanism preventing
unwinding of the cable 358 faster than a predetermined
speed. Once at the relatively lower portion of the roof 16,
the procedure described above may be repeated to remove
other shingles and shingle fasteners and produce a new
strip of shingle material.
Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this
was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the
invention. Various modifications will become apparent to
those skilled in the art and are within the scope of the
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present invention, which is defined more particularly by
the attached claims.
