U.S. patent application number 12/480388 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for automated roofing material removal machine and method.
Invention is credited to Methuselah (Matt) I. Brown.
Application Number | 20090245957 12/480388 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38262518 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090245957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Methuselah (Matt)
I. |
October 1, 2009 |
Automated Roofing Material Removal Machine and Method
Abstract
A roofing material removal machine and method for removing
roofing materials on a roof surface wherein cutting hammers carried
by the machine are operated to lift the roofing materials and a
cutter bar operates to sever the roofing materials after which the
removed materials are conveyed to a collection receptacle. A remote
control device may be used to control power to and movement of the
machine.
Inventors: |
Brown; Methuselah (Matt) I.;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHYTE HIRSCHBOECK DUDEK S C;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
555 EAST WELLS STREET, SUITE 1900
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
38262518 |
Appl. No.: |
12/480388 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11259026 |
Jan 18, 2006 |
7552976 |
|
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12480388 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
408/1R ;
81/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 15/003 20130101;
Y10T 408/03 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
408/1.R ;
81/45 |
International
Class: |
B24B 27/00 20060101
B24B027/00; E04D 15/00 20060101 E04D015/00 |
Claims
1. A roofing material removal machine for removing roofing
materials from a roof surface, the machine comprising: a power
source; and a cutting assembly including a cutting bar and a
plurality of cutting hammers mounted to a rotary drive shaft that
is driven by the power source, wherein the cutting hammers and the
cutting bar operate to lift and sever the roofing materials.
2. The roofing material removal machine of claim 1, wherein each
cutting hammer includes a base portion adjustable mounted to the
rotary drive shaft, an arm, and an outer head.
3. The roofing material removal machine of claim 2, wherein the
base portion, the arm, and the outer head of each cutting hammer
are integrally formed.
4. The roofing material removal machine of claim 1, wherein the
cutting hammers are mounted at different angular positions relative
to the rotary drive shaft so that the weight of the cutting hammers
is generally equally distributed about the drive shaft.
5. The roofing material removal machine of claim 1, wherein at
least two spaced sets of cutting hammers cooperatively engage and
lift the roofing materials at the same time.
6. The roofing material removal machine of claim 5, wherein the at
least two spaced sets of cutting hammers force the lifted roofing
materials against the cutter bar.
7. The roofing material removal machine of claim 6, further
including a debris collector and wherein cut pieces of roofing
materials are thrown toward the debris collector by the cutting
assembly.
8. The roofing material removal machine of claim 1, wherein the
cutting assembly is vertically adjustable so that the cutting
hammers penetrate a predetermined amount into the roofing
materials.
9. The roofing material removal machine of claim 1, wherein the
cutting bar is vertically adjustable.
10. A roofing material removal machine for removing roofing
materials from a roof surface, the machine comprising: a power
source; and a cutting assembly including a cutting bar and a
plurality of cutting hammers mounted to a rotary drive shaft that
is driven by the power source, wherein each cutting hammer includes
a base portion adjustable mounted to the rotary drive shaft, an
arm, and an outer head, and each of the outer heads is convexly
configured from a beveled leading edge such that the rotating
hammers do not cut into the roof surface, and wherein the cutting
hammers and the cutting bar operate to lift and sever the roofing
materials.
11. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, wherein the
base portion, the arm, and the outer head of each cutting hammer
are integrally formed.
12. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, wherein the
cutting hammers are mounted at different angular positions relative
to the rotary drive shaft so that the weight of the cutting hammers
is generally equally distributed about the drive shaft.
13. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, wherein at
least two spaced sets of cutting hammers cooperatively engage and
lift the roofing materials at the same time.
14. The roofing material removal machine of claim 13, wherein the
at least two spaced sets of cutting hammers force the lifted
roofing materials against the cutter bar.
15. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, further
including a debris collector and wherein cut pieces of roofing
materials are thrown toward the debris collector by the cutting
assembly.
16. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, wherein the
cutting assembly is vertically adjustable so that the cutting
hammers penetrate a predetermined amount into the roofing
materials.
17. The roofing material removal machine of claim 10, wherein the
cutting bar is vertically adjustable.
18. A method of removing shingles and other roofing materials from
a surface of a roof using a powered machine wherein the machine
includes a cutter assembly with a cutting bar and a plurality of
cutting hammers that are disposed around a rotary drive shaft,
wherein the cutter assembly is powered by at least one power source
mounted on the machine, the method comprising the steps of: A.
placing the machine on a surface of a roof; B. providing a remote
control device for controlling the at least one power source; and
C. using the remote control device to turn on the power source to
rotate the rotary drive shaft such that the cutting hammers lift
the roofing materials from the surface of the roof and force the
roofing materials against the cutting bar to cut the roofing
materials into smaller pieces.
19. The method of claim 18 further including the step of moving the
machine along guide rails using the power source.
20. The method of claim 18 further including the step of
continuously conveying the roofing materials lifted and cut by the
cutting hammers and the cutting bar to a remote collection
receptacle as the machine travels along the guide rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/259,026 entitled "Automated
Roofing Material Removal Machine and Method" filed on Jan. 18,
2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is generally directed to machines for
removing old roofing shingles, roofing felt, tar paper, nails and
the like from building structures and more particularly to such a
machine that is movably guided on guide rails that are mounted on a
shingled roof. The machine includes a plurality of cutter heads
that are mounted on a drive shaft driven by a power source carried
by the machine. Drive elements mounted on the machine are also
powered by the power source and move the machine relative to the
guide rails. Removed shingles and other debris are thrown by the
cutter heads to a discharge area of the machine housing from which
they are pneumatically conveyed and/or conveyed by gravity to a
collection receptacle or truck positioned adjacent the building
from which the old roofing materials are being removed. The machine
is preferably remotely controlled for operator safety.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0005] Depending on the quality of roofing shingles, the pitch of a
roof and ambient weather conditions, housing and other building
shingles must normally be replaced every fifteen to thirty years.
Often, two layers of shingles may have to be removed before new
shingles may be installed. Hand tools for facilitating the removal
of roofing shingles have long been known, however, such tools not
only require a great deal of physical strength, but their use is
labor intensive and often unsafe. Roofing, by its very nature, is a
hazardous activity and, on steeply pitched roofs, it is extremely
difficult for roofers to adequately and safely manipulate hand held
shingle removal tools to remove old shingles and roofing nails or
other fasteners.
[0006] To reduce the amount of manual labor needed to normally
strip a roof of old shingles, nails and tar paper or other
underlayment, various types of powered machinery have been design
and developed to mechanically perform the work traditionally done
by hand. Such powered shingle removing machines include electrical
or gas fueled engines that are mounted on a frame supported by one
or more sets of wheels. The engines provide sources of power to the
wheels and/or cutters associated with the machines. The cutters may
vary from movable chisel-like devices to cutting blades or rotary
drum-like devices. Unfortunately, such machines are difficult to
manipulate and often totally unsuitable for use on steeply pitched
roofs. Also, manipulating any type of powered machinery on a roof
is extremely dangerous and unsafe.
[0007] The removing of old roofing shingles or cedar shakes is a
three Phase operation. The initial phase is the removal of the old
roofing material by chipping or prying it up either manually, using
a tool such as a spade or pry bar, or using a powered machine.
Phase two is to then pull and remove the nails, tacks or other
fasteners used to secure the old roofing materials. Phase three is
the physical picking up of all the debris and depositing the debris
in a waste receptacle.
[0008] Some examples of prior art powered shingle and other roofing
material removing machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,218,766 to Himebaugh, 4,269,450 to Welborn, 4,673,219 to
Perciful, 4,232,906 to Torbenson, 3,740,099 to Lenzner, 3,223,451
to Orr, 2,749,103 to Clemenzi, and 1,415,949 to Perelman.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to an automated shingle
removing machine that overcomes the problems associated with the
prior art roofing shingle removing machines and manually operated
tools or implements and provides a safe and labor efficient manner
of removing old roofing materials in order to prepare structures
for new roofing shingles and other materials. The invention is
directed to a machine that may be quickly placed into service on
most roofs regardless of their pitch because the machine is not
manipulated or physically guided by an individual during use.
Rather, the shingle removing machine of the invention is mounted on
a roof supported guide rail assembly and is movable along opposite
rails of the assembly under its own power.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment the machine includes a primary
frame mounted on four sets of oppositely oriented rollers or wheels
that are designed to ride within opposing u-shaped guide rails or
tracks of the guide rail assembly. The u-shaped guide rails are
suspended from pivotally adjustable brackets or suspension members
that engage an opposite side of a roof from where the guide rails
are in use. There is a first set of roller on each side of the
primary frame for engaging an upper surface of the guide rails and
a second set on each side of the primary frame for engaging a lower
surface of the guide rails. The u-shaped rails positively orient
the machine as it moves along the rails under power provided by a
driving device that may be an engine, motor or other suitable power
source. In the preferred embodiment, the power source is an
electric motor that is supported by the primary machine frame,
however, hydraulic or pneumatic motors that receive liquid or air
from a source that may be remotely spaced from a roof being work on
may be used as well as petroleum or gas powered engines. The
electric motor is preferably connected to a remote controller,
either by way of a direct cord-like or cable connection or by a
remote controller capable of sending high frequency or other
signals to an on board motor controller. In this manner, the
machine may be remotely operated from the ground during use,
thereby reducing the risk of injury to the machine operator.
[0011] The machine includes a cutter bar that extends across a
width of a lower opening in a cutter housing that is mounted on a
secondary inner frame that is adjustably mounted on the primary
frame and such that the cutter bar is adjustable relative to a
roofing material lifting and conveying assembly that cooperates
with the cutter bar head to lift roofing shingles, nails, felt, tar
paper and the like, cut the materials and convey the materials to a
discharge area of the housing. The roofing material lifting and
conveying assembly is mounted within the housing and includes a
plurality of uniquely configured hammers that are mounted in
side-by-side relationship to a drive shaft supported by opposite
bearings carried by the secondary frame.
[0012] Each hammer includes a base portion that is adjustably
mounted to the drive shaft and which is integrally formed with an
outer head by an integrally formed arm or shank. The hammers are
mounted at different angular positions relative to the drive shaft
so that the weight of the hammers is generally equally distributed
about the drive shaft and such that two or more spaced sets of
hammers cooperatively engage and lift roofing shingles at the same
time and force the uplifted shingles, nails and other materials
against the cutter bar and thereafter throw the cut and shattered
pieces of roofing materials toward the collector.
[0013] The outer face of each of the hammer heads is convexly
configured from a beveled leading edge such that the hammers, when
rotating, will not cut into the roof structure but will only lift
and pull the covering materials including the shingles, roofing
felt, tar paper and nails upwardly and toward the cutter bar. In
some embodiments, the shingle lifting and conveying assembly may be
vertically adjustable so that the hammers may be selectively gauged
to penetrate a predetermined distance relative to the roofing
materials.
[0014] The shingle removing machine is moved relative to the guide
rails by at least one pair of drive elements, which, in the
preferred embodiment, are cog-like wheels having teeth or
projections which engage or intermesh with racks formed in side
walls of the guide rails. The cog-like wheels are simultaneously
driven by secondary drive connections to the electric motor. The
motor includes a twin disc brake or the secondary drive connections
may include anti-back drive gears that provide positive braking
force to prevent movement of the machine unless power is being
positively provided to the drive elements from the motor. In this
manner, if power to the motor is interrupted for any reason, the
machine will automatically become locked in position to the guide
rails. The electric motor can be reversely driven such that the
machine is movable in a reciprocating manner along the guide
rails.
[0015] The roofing material debris that is forced into the
collector housing of the machine is pneumatically conveyed through
a flexible conduit or pipe to a collection receptacle such as a
dumpster or truck. In the preferred embodiment, a fan or pump is
associated with the conduit to provide a positive force to convey
the roofing material debris to the collection receptacle. In some
embodiments, a pump or fan is mounted on or adjacent the machine to
create a positive airflow through the housing and into the conduit
connected to the collector and through which the debris will be
conveyed by gravity to the collection receptacle.
[0016] In some embodiments, the guide rail assembly may include
wheels, rotors or endless track devices, also powered by a motor,
to automatically adjust the positioning of the guide rails relative
to a roof. The guide rails are pivotally adjustable to a suspension
frame that is designed to engage an opposite sloping surface of a
roof relative to the guide rails such that the guide rails and the
suspension frame are on opposite sides of a hip of a roof. An
electric or other motor may be mounted on the suspension frame and
drivingly connected to the drive wheels or endless track drive
elements so that the guide rail assembly may be operative shifted
laterally relative to a roof after the shingle removing machine has
moved along a length of the guide rails to remove roofing materials
along a first portion of a roofs surface.
[0017] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
shingle removing machine which may be easily placed on a guide rail
assembly that includes a pair of opposing guide rails that are
suspended over a hip of a roof structure and thereafter controlled
by an operator either on the roof or at a remote location, such as
at ground level adjacent the structure being worked on, such that
the machine is operable to remove old roofing shingles, nails,
roofing felt, tar paper or the like without direct physical
manipulation.
[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a safe and
expedient manner of removing old roofing materials wherein the
materials are automatically conveyed to a collection receptacle as
they are removed thus facilitating cleanup of a work site.
[0019] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
method of removing shingles and other roofing materials wherein a
machine is positively guided relative to a roof and movable along
guide rails, substantially regardless of a pitch of the roof, and
wherein the roofing materials are stripped and collected generally
simultaneously as the machine moves along the guide rails
positioned on the roof.
[0020] It is also another object of the invention to provide a
machine for removing old roofing materials wherein a size of
material debris may be selectively controlled by adjusting a
relative spacing of the cutter bar of the machine with respect to
the roofing material removing hammers associated with the
machine.
[0021] It is another object of a varied embodiment of the invention
to provide a machine for removing old roofing materials and
fasteners from a roof wherein the machine and a guide rail assembly
on which the machine is positively guided and supported may be
automatically shifted relative to a roof surface so that
substantially an entire surface of a section of roof may be
stripped without having to manually manipulate the machine or the
supporting rail assembly. In at least some embodiments, the present
invention relates to
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A better understanding of the invention will be had with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side illustrational view of the roofing material
removal machine and guide rail assembly of the invention showing
the guide rail assembly mounted over a hip of a roof such that
guide rails on which the machine is mounted extend downwardly on
one side of the roof with the rails being anchored by a suspension
frame positioned on an opposite side of the roof;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan illustrational view of the roofing
material removal machine and guide rail assembly mounted on a roof
as shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 2a is a top plan view of a remote controller for using
in controlling the roofing material removing machine and also
showing optional switches for controlling movement of the guide
rail assembly in an alternate embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial right side view showing a drive
connection between a drive motor and a driven shaft of a roofing
material lifting and conveying assembly mounted within a housing of
the roofing material removal machine of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 3a is a partial cross sectional view taken along line
3a-3a of FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2 of the roofing material removal machine of the invention
mounted within opposing guide rails of the guide rail assembly with
the guide rails shown in section;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 2 of the roofing material removal machine showing a drive
connection between the drive motor and a pair of driven cogwheels
that intermesh with spaced openings provided in the guide
rails;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional illustrational view taken
through the roofing material removal machine showing the manner in
which the old shingles, felt, paper and fasteners are lifted by
cutting hammers that force the materials against a cutter bar and
thereafter cast the shredded material into a discharge duct of the
collector housing;
[0031] FIG. 6a is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing adjusting rods
for adjusting a relative spacing between the cutter bar of the
machine and the roofing material lifting hammers;
[0032] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken
along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing one of the driven cogwheels of the
roofing material removal machine drivingly engaged with spaced
openings in an adjacent guide rail;
[0033] FIG. 8 is an enlarge perspective view of the cutting hammer
assembly of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the cutting hammer assembly
shown in FIG. 8;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a partial right side view of another embodiment
of the invention showing a modified suspension frame including a
traction unit that can be remotely controlled for moving the guide
rail assembly and the roofing material removal machine laterally
relative to a roof;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a close up view illustrating the manner in which
one of the cutting hammers lifts roofing material toward the
opposing cutting bar;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the roofing
material being severed; and
[0040] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing one of the
hammers pulling out a roofing nail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] With continued reference to the drawing figures, the
invention will be described as being used to remove shingles,
roofing felt, tar paper, fasteners and other roof covering
materials "M" from a roof "R". The roof is shown as being a hip
roof having oppositely pitched roof sections "S1" and "S2" that
meet at the peak or ridge "P" of the roof. The invention can be
used on substantially any roof regardless of the roof pitch and can
be controlled remotely by an operator from a position of
safety.
[0042] The invention includes a roofing material removal machine 20
that is guided and supported by a guide rail assembly 22 that, in
the embodiments shown, includes a pair of suspension legs 23 from
which a pair of guide rails or tracks 25 and 26 are suspended. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide rails extend downwardly along
roof section "S1" in spaced but parallel relationship with respect
to one another. The lower portions 25' and 26' of the guide rails
extend or are cantilevered outwardly relative to the lowest edge
"E" of the roof whereas, the upper portions 25'' and 26'' extend
upwardly beyond the ridge "P" of the roof for permitting the
roofing material removal machine 20 to be effectively guided over
the entire section "S1" of the roof.
[0043] The guide rails are pivotally adjustably connected at 28 to
the suspension legs 23 so that an angle between them may be
selectively adjusted to match with the pitch angle between the roof
sections "S1" and "S2". Once the proper angle has been set, locking
pins (not shown) are used to retain the suspension legs and the
guide rails of the guide rail assembly in fixed relationship with
respect to one another. The suspension legs 23 function like a
bracket or hanger and support the weight of the guide rails and the
roofing material removal machine. In some instances, additional
anchors or fastening devices may be used to secure the suspension
legs or guide rails to the roof section "S2". In another embodiment
to be described in greater detail hereinafter, the suspension legs
may be replaced with an adjustable frame on which a drive assembly
is mounted for use in moving the guide rail assembly laterally with
respect to a roof. The guide rails and the suspension legs are
preferably formed of steel.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide rails 25 and 26 are
generally c-shaped in cross section and include lower walls 33 that
are bounded by an outer wall 35 and inner lower flange 36. An upper
flange 37 is aligned with the lower flange and extends from an
upper wall 38 of each guide rail. The guide rails not only provide
positive guidance for the roofing material removal machine, as will
be described herein, but each rail is also provided with a
plurality of generally equally spaced holes 40 that are made in the
outer wall 35 for purposes of providing a rack-like surface that
cooperates with driven elements on the roofing machine, as is shown
in FIG. 7. As opposed to the holes 40, a linear gear-like rack
could be used along an inner surface of the outer wall of each
guide rail.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 3a, the roofing material
removal machine 20 includes a generally rectangular steel frame 42
including opposite sidewalls 43 and end members 44. The frame is
movably supported on upper and lower sets of wheels or rollers 45
and 46 that are mounted on each side wall and which are of a size
to cooperatively track against the upper and lower walls 38 and 33,
respectively, within the opposing guide rails 25 and 26, and
between the flanges 36 and 37 and the outer walls thereof. The
wheels are mounted on stub shafts 47 connected to the sidewalls 43
of the frame 42. As the wheels or rollers engage both the upper and
lower portions of the guide rails, the machine is positively and
securely contained within the rails regardless of a pitch angle of
a roof on which the machine is operating.
[0046] Mounted inwardly of the sidewalls 43 of the frame 42 is a
secondary steel frame 48 that supports a cutting assembly 50 and
material guide or collector housing 52. Two bearing assemblies 53
are mounted in aligned relationship with one another on opposite
sides of the secondary frame and in which are rotationally
supported opposite ends of a driven shaft 55 of the cutting
assembly. The cutting assembly includes a plurality of cutting
hammers 56 that are mounted on the shaft 55. The cutting assembly
50 is enclosed or covered within the material guide or collector
housing 52 so that, as the cutting hammers are rotated to lift and
remove roofing materials such as shingles, roofing felt, tar paper,
nails and the like, the debris will be shattered into small pieces
by a cutting bar 54 that is mounted forward of the hammers as shown
in FIGS. 6 and 6a. The cutting action is illustrated in FIGS.
13-15. Thereafter, the debris is guided within the housing toward a
rearward extending discharge duct 57, as shown in FIG. 6. A tube or
pipe 58 is shown in FIG. 1 as being connected to the discharge duct
57 for conveying the debris toward a collection receptacle "C" that
is positioned on the ground at the base of a building "B" on which
the machine of the invention is in use. In this manner, the debris
may be conveyed along the tube 58 by gravity from the discharge
duct 57.
[0047] The debris may also be conveyed pneumatically into and along
the tube 58. With reference to FIG. 6, a fan 60 is shown as being
mounted at an opening 61 in the housing 52. The fan induces airflow
from the cutting assembly toward the discharge duct 57 as shown by
the arrows in the drawing. As opposed to using a fan mounted on the
housing, a source of suction may be mounted along the tube 58 or
adjacent the collection receptacle to facilitate movement of debris
along the tube.
[0048] The fan 60 is electrically connected by conductor cord 62 to
an electrical box 61 that is mounted adjacent an electric motor 63
that is mounted on a support bracket 64 that is welded or otherwise
secured to the frame 42. The motor receives power from an elongated
electrical control cord 64 that, in the preferred embodiment,
extends to a controller 65, see FIGS. 2 and 2a, that is positioned
remotely relative to the roofing material removal machine. It is
preferred that the controller be used by an operator positioned on
the ground thereby reducing the possibility of injury of an
operator being positioned on the roof. Permitting the roofing
material removal machine to be remotely operated not only reduces
the risk of operator injury, but also reduces roofing expenses by
lowering insurance costs associated with the roofing industry. The
controller is designed to be connected to a source of AC power
supply such as a power supply in a building or from a source such
as a mobile electrical power generator.
[0049] As opposed to remotely controlling the roofing material
removal machine by way of an electrical tether, a wireless control
device may be used to supply radio frequency (RF) or other signals
to a control unit mounted on the machine. The use of a non-tethered
remote control device will reduce costs and simplify set up and
operation of the roofing machine.
[0050] With specific reference to FIG. 2a, the controller 65
includes a number of operating buttons or switches for controlling
power to the motor as well as for controlling movement of the
roofing material removal machine as will described hereinafter. As
shown, the controller includes an ON/OFF switches 66 and 66' for
the motor 63 and directional switches 67, 68, 69 and 70 for
controlling movement of the machine upwardly, downwardly and left
or right, respectively, relative to the roofs surface. In addition,
switch 71 is provided for controlling operation of the fan 60.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 3, the electric motor 63 has a drive
output (not shown) that is connected through a transmission box 73
to a first drive shaft 74 on which is mounted a drive gear or
sprocket 75. The drive sprocket 75 drives a chain 77 that is
drivingly engaged to driven sprocket 78 mounted on one end of the
cutting assembly driven shaft 55. When the operator engages the
control switch 66 to an "ON" position, the first output drive shaft
will receive power from the electric motor and thus initiate
rotation of the hammers 56 mounted on the cutting assembly driven
shaft 55.
[0052] The hammers 56 are more specifically shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
A central portion 55' of the cutting assembly driven shaft 55 is
generally hexagonal in cross section so that cooperating hexagonal
openings in the base 80 of each hammer permit the hammers to be
slidably mounted to the driven shaft and yet are securely and
fixedly mounted to rotate with the shaft. Each hammer includes a
shank 81 extending from the base 80 and which terminates at an
outer head 82. The head is preferably integrally formed with the
shank and includes a forward oriented beveled lifting edge 83 and a
rearward extending portion 84 that is provided to give extra mass
to the head. An outer surface 85 of each head is generally convex
in configuration so that the beveled lifting edge 83 curves
slightly upwardly relative to a roofs surface when the lifting edge
is in its closest proximity to the roofs surface during rotation of
the cutting assembly driven shaft 55.
[0053] The uniquely curved configuration of each hammer allows the
lifting edges to pass through and beneath the shingles, felt, and
tar paper and lift these materials and subsequently drive or force
these materials against the forward mounted cutting bar 54.
Essentially, and as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13-15, the hammers
primarily lift the roofing material from the roof and force the
roofing materials against the cutting bar where the materials are
cut and shattered into small pieces that are subsequently conveyed
by the hammers and any pneumatic energy applied, to the exhaust
duct of the collector housing. The configuration of the lifting
edge of each hammer also lifts and extracts nails and other
fasteners that are also conveyed to the exhaust duct. The
illustrational views of FIGS. 13-15 are from the left side of the
machine and show the hammers rotating counterclockwise toward the
roofing materials as the machine is moved upwardly from a lower
area of the roof toward an upper area.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the hammers are uniformly mounted
on the driven shaft 55 so that the weight of the hammers is equally
distributed about the shaft. The equal distribution of weight will
reduce machine vibration as the hammers are driven in rotation. In
the present embodiment, the hammers are positioned in sets of five
such that the hammers of each set are disposed at approximately
72.degree. relative to one another. In this manner, the lifting
edge 83 of every fifth hammer will be aligned with one another so
as to simultaneously engage an area of roofing materials. This
arrangement will further facilitate the lifting and conveying of
strips of materials, such as shingles, by the rotating hammers.
Other arrangements and spacing may be used provided that the weight
of the hammers is equally distributed about the driven shaft and,
preferably, such that at least two spaced lifting edges
simultaneously engage the roofing materials.
[0055] As previously described, the hammers 56 throw the uplifted
roofing materials against the cutter bar 54, as is illustrated in
FIG. 6. The spacing between the cutting bar and the hammers may be
adjusted to thereby change the size of the materials being conveyed
toward the exhaust duct. In this respect, and with reference to
FIG. 6a, cutting bar 54 is secured on an adjustable housing section
86 that is connected to a pair of adjustment blocks 87 mounted
above opposite sides of the secondary frame. The blocks have
threaded openings there through for receiving adjustment rods 88.
The top of each rod is keyed as shown at 89 to receive a removable
crank or handle, not shown, to facilitate rotation of the rods.
Upon rotation of the rods the blocks are raised or lowered thereby
raising and/or lowering the cutting bar 54 relative to the hammers
56 by pivoting the adjustable housing section about the driven
shaft 55. The adjustable housing section includes sides 86' that
are freely pivotally supported adjacent outer ends of the driven
shaft 55, as shown.
[0056] Movement of the roofing material removal machine 20 along
the guide rails 25 and 26 is controlled using the switches 67 and
68 of the controller 65. The motor 63 provides power through the
transmission box 73 to a secondary drive shaft 90, see FIG. 2, that
has a sprocket 91 mounted thereto. The sprocket 91 drives a
secondary drive chain 92 that supplies power through another
sprocket 93 to a power splitter drive shaft 94. The power splitter
drive shaft 94 is connected at its opposite ends to gear boxes 95
and 96. Power from the power splitter drive shaft is transferred in
the gear boxes 95 and 96 to a pair of driven stub shafts 97 and 98
to thereby rotate a pair of guide rail engaging cogwheels 99 and
100.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the cogwheels 99 and 100 include
a plurality of equally spaced projections or pins 102 that are
configured to be cooperatively received within the spaced openings
or holes 40 in the guide rails. When power is applied from the
motor 63 and transmission 73 to the second drive shaft 90, the
cogwheels will rotate in opposite directions thus engaging the pins
102 in successive openings 40 and thereby pulling the machine along
the guide rails. The direction of movement depends on the direction
of rotation of the second drive shaft as it receives power through
the transmission box. Thus, in the embodiment shown in the
drawings, when switch 67 of the controller is "ON", the machine
will travel upwardly relative to the roof whereas, when switch 68
is "ON", the machine will travel downwardly along the guide
rails.
[0058] As shown in the drawings, the gear boxes 95 and 96 and thus
the cogwheels 99 and 100 are cantilevered forwardly of the machine
primary frame 42. The gear boxes are mounted on a pair of forwardly
extending mounting brackets 104 and 105 that are welded or
otherwise secured to the front or forward end wall the primary
frame, see FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 6a.
[0059] To ensure that the machine cannot accidentally move or
travel along the guide rails when the motor 63 is not activated,
either anti-backdrive gears are provide in the transmission box 73
or the motor is one that includes internal brakes, such as the twin
disk brake system of Dayton.RTM. electric motors. The transmission
preferably includes a neutral setting such that the cogwheels may
freely rotate to facilitate the initial mounting of the machine in
the guide rails such that the pins 102 are appropriately aligned
with the holes 40.
[0060] In some embodiments, in order to facilitate lateral movement
and positioning of the guide rail assembly, two or more wheel or
roller units 106 may be attached in spaced relationship to the
guide rails 25 and 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The roller units
will support the rails slightly above the roofing materials so that
the guide rail assembly may be rolled laterally relative to the
roof into a desired position. The rollers may be deployable such
that they may be raised to rest the guide rails of the roof when
the machine 20 is in use.
[0061] In the operation of the roofing material removal machine 20,
the guide rails assembly is initially raised, preferably by a hoist
or crane, and placed on a section of roof with the pivotally
adjustable suspension legs or brackets 23 engaging an opposite
sloping surface of the roof from where the guide rails are to be
secured. After a proper angle has been established between the
guide rails and the legs, the locking pins are used to rigidly
secure the components together. Thereafter, the machine is raised
using the same hoist or crane and aligned such that the supporting
wheels or rollers of the machine track within the opposing guide
rails. As the machine 20 is being placed in alignment with the
guide rails, the cogwheels 99 and 100 will free wheel slightly in
order to align with and seat within the holes 40 in the guide
rails. As previously described, the motor preferably includes an
interior braking system to prevent any movement of the machine
relative to the guide rails whenever no power is supplied to the
motor.
[0062] Once installed, the motor 63 is remotely controlled from an
operator positioned in a safe area. The motor "ON" switch is
engaged which initiates rotation of the hammers 56. The machine is
controlled to move along the guide rails to the lowest point of the
roof. Thereafter, the controller switch 67 is activated to cause
the cogwheels 99 and 100 to drive the machine upwardly relative to
the roof during which time the hammers will lift the old roofing
materials and throw them against the cutter bar 42 to reduce them
to small pieces that are conveyed by the rotating hammers and the
pneumatic action created by the fan 60 being "ON" to the exhaust
duct of the collector housing. The debris then is conveyed through
the conduit 58 to the collection receptacle. After the machine
travels to the uppermost end 25'' and 26a'' of the guide rails, the
operator will reverse the direction of movement of the machine so
that the machine moves to the lowest point along the guide rails.
Thereafter, the motor is stopped and the entire guide rail assembly
is shifted laterally of the roof so that the next area of the roof
may be stripped and cleaned.
[0063] From the foregoing, not only is the roofing material removal
machine of the invention safe to operate, as there is no manual
maneuvering of the machine as the roofing materials are being
stripped, but the machine also conveys all the debris directly to a
collection receptacle.
[0064] In a further embodiment of the invention and as shown in
FIGS. 10-12, the guide rail assembly may be modified so that the
assembly, with the machine mounted thereon, may be automatically
shifted or moved laterally relative to a roof. In this manner,
physical movement of the machine is only necessary to move the
machine from one section of a roof to another. In this embodiment,
the guide rails 25 and 26 are the same as previously described with
the addition of the spaced rollers 106 for facilitating lateral
repositioning of the guide rails relative to the roof.
[0065] The suspension brackets of the guide rail assembly, however,
have been changed such that the legs have been replaced with a
traction device 110 that is mounted on an adjustable bracket
assembly 112 that is connected to the guide rails. Although the
type of traction device may vary, as shown, it may include an
endless drive belt 113 that engages the roof and is disposed about
a plurality of driven rollers 114 fixedly mounted on shafts 115
carried by a suspension frame 116 that is pivotally adjustably
connected at it's opposite ends to upper and lower arms 117 and 118
of the bracket assembly 112 as shown at 119 and 120. Also mounted
to the opposite ends of the suspension frame 116 are guide rail
engaging support arms 121 that transfer the weight of the guide
rails to the traction device to thereby assist in suspending the
guide rails from the roof as previously described.
[0066] Each of the upper and lower arms 117 and 118 of the bracket
assembly 112 are adjustable relative to the guide rails so that the
traction device is placed at a proper angle relative to the guide
rails depending on the pitch or slope of the roof. The arms include
open slots 122 and fasteners 124 for locking the arms in a fixed
relationship relative to the guide rails after the correct mounting
angle "A" has been achieved.
[0067] An electric or other motor 125, that is preferably remotely
controlled by the controller 65 shown if FIG. 2a, is carried by the
suspension frame 116 and includes a drive shaft 126 drivingly
engaging a drive chain 128 that drives an input gear or sprocket
129 fixedly mounted on one end of an adjacent roller supporting
shaft 115. An opposite end of the adjacent roller supporting shaft
has another sprocket 130 mounted thereon, which gear provides power
to the remaining support shafts 115 by way of a chain 132 that
connects the sprocket 130 with similar gears mounted to each of the
other support shafts.
[0068] As previously described, the controller may include switches
69 and 70 for providing power to the motor 125 and controls for
causing the traction device to move laterally in opposite
directions relative to a roof. As the guide rails are supported on
the roller 106, the entire guide rail assembly can be remotely
controlled to move laterally relative to a roof as is necessary
when stripping the roofing materials from a section of roof. The
operation of the invention is otherwise as previously
described.
[0069] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of
the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular
embodiments illustrated and described. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *