U.S. patent application number 11/059384 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for roof membrane and insulation removing device.
Invention is credited to Karl W. JR. Bremer.
Application Number | 20060179790 11/059384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814221 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060179790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bremer; Karl W. JR. |
August 17, 2006 |
Roof membrane and insulation removing device
Abstract
A device for stripping a waterproof rubber membrane and foam
insulation from a roof. The device includes a wheeled frame having
a pair of handlebars at its rear for steering by a walking
attendant. A first cutting blade is secured to the front of the
wheeled frame and is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.
A pair of second cutting blades is secured to the front of the
wheeled frame on opposite sides of the first cutting blade. Each
one of the second cutting blades is rotatable about a substantially
horizontal axis. A prime mover is secured to the frame for rotating
the first cutting blade and the second cutting blades.
Inventors: |
Bremer; Karl W. JR.; (Zuni,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen R. Greiner, Esquire;GREINER LAW OFFICES, P.C.
Suite 110
6701 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
36814221 |
Appl. No.: |
11/059384 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/749.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 15/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/749.12 |
International
Class: |
E04D 15/00 20060101
E04D015/00 |
Claims
1. A roof membrane and insulation removing device, comprising: a
wheeled frame having a pair of rearwardly extending handlebars; a
first cutting blade being secured to the front of said wheeled
frame and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis; a
pair of second cutting blades being secured to the front of said
wheeled frame on opposite sides of said first cutting blade, each
one of said second cutting blades being rotatable about a
substantially horizontal axis; and, a prime mover being secured to
said frame for rotating said first cutting blade and said second
cutting blades.
2. The roof membrane and insulation removing device according to
claim 1 further comprising a ramp assembly secured to the front of
said wheeled frame, said ramp assembly including a plurality of
lifting tines extending forwardly of said first cutting blade.
3. A roof membrane and insulation removing device, comprising: a
wheeled frame having a pair of rearwardly extending handlebars; a
first pair of cutting blades being secured to the front of said
wheeled frame, each one of said first pair of cutting blades being
rotatable about a substantially vertical axis; a second pair of
cutting blades being secured to the front of said wheeled frame
adjacent said first pair of cutting blades, each one of said second
pair of cutting blades being rotatable about a substantially
horizontal axis; and, a prime mover being secured to said frame for
simultaneously rotating said first pair of cutting blades and said
second pair of cutting blades.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said wheeled frame
includes a front portion and a rear portion capable of relative
pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis, said front portion
supporting said first pair of cutting blades, said second pair of
cutting blades and said prime mover, said front portion having
casters retaining such above the ground and said rear porting
having wheels retaining such above the ground.
5. The device according to claim 3 further comprising a ramp
assembly secured to said front portion of said frame, said ramp
assembly including a plurality of lifting tines extending forwardly
of said first cutting blade.
6. A roof membrane and insulation removing device, comprising: a
frame having a front portion and a rear portion capable of relative
pivoting motion about a substantially horizontal axis, said front
portion being supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear
portion being supported by a second pair of wheels, a pair of
rearwardly extending handlebars being secured to said rear portion
of said frame; a first pair of circular cutting blades being
secured side-by-side to said front portion of said frame, said
first pair of circular cutting blades being coplanar, and each one
of said first pair of circular cutting blades being rotatable about
a substantially vertical axis; a second pair of circular cutting
blades being secured to opposite sides of said front portion of
said frame forwardly of said first pair of cutting blades, each one
of said second pair of circular cutting blades being rotatable
about a substantially horizontal axis; a first hydraulic motor
being secured to said rear portion of said frame for rotating said
second pair of wheels; a second hydraulic motor being secured to
said front portion of said frame for rotating said first pair of
circular cutting blades; and, a second hydraulic motor being
secured to said front portion of said frame for rotating said
second pair of circular cutting blades.
7. The roof membrane and insulation removing device according to
claim 6 further comprising a ramp assembly secured to the front of
said wheeled frame, said ramp assembly including a plurality of
lifting tines extending forwardly of said first cutting blade.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to cutlery and, more
particularly, to cutting tools mounted on vehicles moved during
cutting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Impermeable rubber membranes positioned atop foam insulation
are commonly used to make watertight roofs on commercial buildings.
Over time, ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and acid rain
deteriorate these membranes, necessitating their replacement. The
principal tool used to accomplish this task is a heavyweight,
tipping the scales at about half a ton, which cuts
membrane-anchoring screws and rips up membrane with a sawing blade.
Unfortunately, this tool also vibrates metal roof decking,
sometimes to the point of buckling, and shakes loose ceiling tiles
on the interior of buildings. For this reason, roofers sometimes
employ handheld, but powered, screwdrivers and shears to unfasten
anchoring screws so that a roof membrane can be lifted and
replaced. The process of removing a membrane, however, is slow with
handheld tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In light of the problems associated with the known tools for
detaching old membranes and foam insulation from building roofs, it
is a principal object of the invention to provide a device that not
only eliminates the handwork involved in detaching a membrane and
insulation from a roof, but quickly accomplishes this task without
damaging the steel decking that supports the membrane and
insulation. The device cuts the membrane and insulation, measuring
from one inch to eight inches thick, vertically and horizontally
into elongated strips that are easy to handle. After cutting, the
device gathers the strips for easy disposal. Any screws employed to
secure the membrane and insulation are severed as the membrane and
insulation are simultaneously cut and lifted from a roof.
[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
device of the type described that, as a membrane and insulation are
being cut, severs any screws employed to secure the membrane and
insulation in place. The tasks of cutting membrane, insulation and
fasteners are accomplished in a single pass with minimal vibration.
At the present time, no product, other than the device described
herein, exists that will simultaneously cut roof membrane,
insulation and fasteners securing the membrane in place.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
roof membrane and insulation removing device of the type described
that is compact in size. The device is easy to position on a roof
and, once there, is far less likely to damage to roof decking than
larger machines.
[0006] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a device of the type described that has a self-contained
power source so it does not need to be tethered by cables to a
remote generator or electrical grid thus making the device very
maneuverable.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a device
of the type described that is self-leveling, retaining its cutting
blades in position for optimum cutting regardless of the bumps,
trash and other surface irregularities that the device may roll
over. The result is strips of membrane and insulation of even width
and thickness that are quickly cut from a roof.
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
features and arrangements thereof in a roof membrane and insulation
removing device for the purposes described that is inexpensive to
manufacture and dependable in use.
[0009] Briefly, the device in accordance with this invention
achieves the intended objects by featuring a wheeled frame having a
pair of rearwardly extending handlebars for steering by a walking
attendant. A first pair of cutting blades is secured to the front
of the frame. Each of the first cutting blades is rotatable about a
substantially vertical axis. A second pair of cutting blades is
secured to the front of the frame on opposite sides of the first
cutting blades. Each of the second cutting blades is rotatable
about a substantially horizontal axis. A prime mover is secured to
the frame for rotating the first and second cutting blades. Between
the second cutting blades is secured a ramp assembly upon which
stripped roofing materials are collected for disposal.
[0010] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become readily apparent upon further
review of the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention may be more readily described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a roof membrane and insulation
removing device in accordance with the present invention having its
hydraulic fluid conduits detached for the sake of drawing
simplicity.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the roof membrane and insulation
removing device of FIG. 1 having its hydraulic fluid conduits
detached.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the roof membrane and insulation
removing device having its hydraulic fluid conduits detached.
[0015] FIG., 4 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of
the roof membrane and insulation removing device.
[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring now to the FIGS., a roof membrane and insulation
removing device in accordance with the present invention is shown
at 10. Device 10 includes a wheeled frame 12 having a pair of
handlebars 14 at its rear for steering by a walking attendant. At
the front of frame 12 are supported a first pair of cutting blades
16 and 18 being rotatable about substantially vertical axes. On
opposite sides of blades 16 and 18 is a second pair of cutting
blades 20 and 22, these being rotatable about a substantially
horizontal axis. A pair of hydraulic motors 24 and 26 and spin
blades 16-22 so that such can slice into and through a roof
membrane, foam insulation and penetrating fasteners. Another motor
28 rotates a pair of wheels 30 to mover device 10 over a roof.
During use, debris severed from a roof by device 10 is collected
for periodic disposal on a ramp assembly 32 positioned at the front
of frame 12.
[0018] Frame 12 has a front portion 34 and a rear portion 36 joined
together by a pivot pin 38 that permits portions 34 and 36 to twist
relative to one another to accommodate uneven rolling surfaces.
Front portion 34 is an openwork box having a pair of lower side
rails 40 and a pair of upper side rails 42 extending forwardly from
a back plate 44 penetrated by pivot pin 38. Similarly, rear portion
36 is an openwork box with a front plate 46 through which pin 38
pivotally extends. A pair of retaining pins 48, secured to plate 44
beneath pin 38, penetrate arcuate slots 50 in plate 46 and serve as
a stop to prevent excessive, relative twisting of portions 34 and
36.
[0019] A cutting blade carrier 52 is pivotally fastened to front
portion 34. As shown, carrier 52 has a pair of pivot arms 54 joined
at their front ends by a carrier bar 56 and joined at their rear
ends by a tie bar 58 and at their midpoints by a medial bar 59.
Pivot pins 60 fasten arms 54 at their midpoints to the front ends
of lower side rails 40. Threaded rods 62 extend outwardly from the
rear ends of arms 54 and penetrate slotted brackets 64 provided on
rails 40 rearwardly of pins 60. Nuts 66 on threaded rods 62 are
clamped against brackets 64 to fix the inclination of carrier bar
56 and hence the height of blades 16-22 carried thereby.
[0020] A pair of rotatable wheels or casters 68 is secured to tie
bar 58 and maintain front portion 34 and blade carrier 52 at a
predetermined height above a supporting surface. Casters 68 each
include a threaded shaft (not shown) that threadably engages a
socket within tie bar 58. By manual rotation of the shaft in the
socket, the distance from the bottom of casters 68 to tie bar 58
can be varied as desired by a user thus providing additional means
for adjusting the cutting height of device 10.
[0021] Each of cutting blades 16 and 18 is circular in outline and
includes a peripheral edge having small teeth or, in the
alternative, being imbedded abrasives for cutting purposes. Cutting
blades 16 and 18 are secured to the bottom ends of stub shafts 70
that rotate in journal bearings 72 affixed to carrier bar 56.
Shafts 70 retain sprocket gears 74 between bearings 72 and blades
16 and 18. Each of the gears 74 is engaged with an endless chain 76
that, when moved as described below, causes blades 16 and 18 to be
rotated at high speed.
[0022] Chain 76 extends rearwardly from sprocket gears 74 and is
looped around a sprocket gear 78 affixed to the drive shaft 80 of
hydraulic motor 24. Motor 24 is affixed to medial bar 59. Thus,
when carrier 52 is pivoted up or down on pivot pins 60, motor 24
and gears 74 and 78 move together to prevent the binding of chain
76.
[0023] Cutting blades 20 and 22 are like blades 16 and 18 in that
they possess either teeth or abrasives along their circular
peripheries for cutting. Preferably, blades 20 and 22 are secured
to stub shafts 82 that rotate in journal bearings 84 carried
between paired support arms 86 whose rear ends are fastened to the
sides of ramp assembly 32. On shafts 82, between paired arms 86,
are secured sprocket gears 88. The gears 88 are engaged with
endless chains 90 that are employed to rotate shafts 82 and blades
20 and 22.
[0024] Ramp assembly 32 is affixed to the front of portion 34 of
frame 12 to collect strips of roofing membrane cut during use of
device 10. Ramp assembly 32 has a ramp 33 from which a number of
tines 35 project downwardly and forwardly. Ramp 33, as illustrated,
has a downwardly sloping forward portion 33a that elevates cut
membrane and insulation onto a horizontal rearward portion 33b as
device 10 moves forward. Tines 35 extend downwardly and forwardly
from forward portion 33a to lift just-cut membrane and insulation
onto forward portion 33a.
[0025] Chains 90 extend rearwardly from sprocket gears 88 and are
looped around sprocket gears 92 affixed to the opposite ends of a
rotatable shaft 94. Shaft 94 is carried by journal bearings (not
shown) mounted upon side rails 40. Adjacent one of these journal
bearings, a sprocket gear 96 is affixed to shaft 94. Looped around
gear 96 is an endless chain 98 that extends rearwardly to engage a
sprocket gear 100 affixed to the horizontal drive shaft 102 of
hydraulic motor 26. Motor 26 is mounted upon the bottom of front
frame portion 34.
[0026] Drive wheels 30 are rotatably supported at the rear of rear
portion 36 of frame 12 by a rotatable shaft 104. A drive wheel 30
is secured to each of the opposed ends of shaft 104 for retaining
rear portion 36 above a supporting surface 106. A sprocket gear 108
is secured to shaft 104 adjacent one wheel 30. An endless chain 110
engages gear 108 and extends forwardly therefrom to engage a
sprocket gear 112 affixed to the horizontal drive shaft 114 of
hydraulic motor 28. Motor 28 is mounted upon the bottom of rear
frame portion 36.
[0027] A prime mover being an internal combustion engine 114 is
mounted atop front portion 34 of frame 12 so as to power a
two-stage pump 116. As shown, pump 116 is fastened directly to
engine 114 and has two, separate, pumping units 116a and 116b being
capable of delivering separate streams of hydraulic fluid under
pressure at predetermined flow rates. Pumping unit 116a has a fluid
inlet and a fluid outlet that do not communicate directly with the
fluid inlet and outlet of pumping unit 116b.
[0028] While engine 118 is running, hydraulic fluid is delivered
from a reservoir 118 to pumping units 116a and 116b through a
suction conduit 120. Hydraulic fluid is discharged from pumping
unit 116a into a discharge conduit 122 for delivery to motors 24
and 26. Discharge conduit 122 is provided with a manually operated
valve 124 that selectively permits the flow of hydraulic fluid to
motors 24 and 26 connected in series with reservoir 118. (Note:
bypass conduits permitting the continuous pumping of fluid by pump
116 are not shown in the FIGS. for the sake of simplicity.) With
hydraulic fluid flowing through motors 24 and 26 such will operate
to rotate drive shafts 80 and 102 and cutting blades 16-22 through
the transmission system previously described. Hydraulic fluid
exiting motors 24 and 26 is returned to reservoir 118 via return
conduit 126.
[0029] Hydraulic fluid is delivered from a reservoir 118 to motor
28 through a suction conduit 128 while engine 118 is operating.
Hydraulic fluid is discharged from high-pressure pumping unit 116b
into a discharge conduit 128 for delivery to motor 28. Discharge
conduit 128 is provided with a manually operated valve 130 that
controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to motor 28. Valve 130 is
shown in FIG. 4 to be situated so that its segment N is engaged
with conduit 128 whereby hydraulic fluid flows to and from valve
130 into return conduit 132 without accomplishing useful work
meaning that device 10 remains in neutral or at rest. Should valve
130 be shifted so that its F segment is engaged with conduit 128,
hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow to motor 28 to rotate shaft
104 and wheels 30 to move device 10 forward. Finally, if valve 130
be shifted so that its R segment is engaged with conduit 128,
hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow to motor 28 to rotate shaft
104 and wheels 30 to move device 10 backward or in reverse.
[0030] To avoid overheating the hydraulic fluid, a portion of its
flow is diverted from return conduit 132 to a cooler 134 mounted on
handlebars 14. After the hydraulic fluid passes through cooler 134,
it is discharged into reservoir 118. Once in reservoir 118, the
hydraulic fluid can be withdrawn to power any of motors 24, 26 and
28.
[0031] From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that use of
device 10 is straightforward.
[0032] First, device 10 is placed on a supporting surface 106 that
would normally comprise the steel decking of a roof atop which is
secured a water-resistant membrane and insulation in need of
replacement. Next, the membrane and insulation are manually lifted
to expose its bottom surface to blades 16-22 at the start of a cut.
Then, valve 128 is set to energize motor 28 to rotate wheels 30 and
drive device 10 forwardly. The forward movement of device 10
presses blades 16-22 against the membrane and any metallic
fasteners used to anchor such to surface 106. Now, valve 124 is
opened to energize motors 24 and 26 thereby causing blades 16-22 to
rotate and cut the membrane, insulation and any exposed
fasteners.
[0033] Cutting of the membrane and insulation proceeds at a rapid
pace with device 10 moving at a pace approaching that of a
self-propelled lawnmower. The membrane and insulation are cut in
long strips having a width substantially equal to the spacing
between blades 20 and 22. The length of the cut strips will depend
in large part on the type and condition of the membrane and
insulation being worked upon but, may in many cases, would be
measured in tens of feet.
[0034] If blades 16 and 18 appear to be scraping upon surface 106
as membrane and insulation removal progresses, they can be raised.
To do this, nuts 66 merely need to be loosened so that the front of
cutting blade carrier 52 can be elevated a suitable amount.
Similarly, lowering the front end of carrier 52, while nuts 66 are
loosened, lowers blades 16 and 18.
[0035] Because device 10 is highly maneuverable, the process of
removing a roofing membrane and insulation can be accomplished in
substantially less time than required when using conventional tools
regardless of the skill of the user. A job that formerly would have
required weeks to complete can now be completed in days.
[0036] While the invention has been described with a high degree of
particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications can be made thereto. For example, the number and
location of cutting blades 16-22 can be increased or decreased to
suit the needs of a particular user with additional blades
permitting the more rapid removal of roof membrane. Also, with the
attachment of a hydraulic ram to front portion 34 of frame 12,
casters 68 can be provided with a power steering mechanism operated
by a user. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above,
but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *