Shingle removing machine

A shingle removal tool includes a support frame, a mechanism supported along the bottom of the support frame for moving the shingle removal tool along a surface, and a shingle removal plate having a topside, an underside and a shingle removing end. A rigid linkage has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the linkage is hingedly connected to the support frame, and the second end of the linkage is hingedly connected to the underside of the shingle removal plate. A flange depends from the underside of the shingle removing tool, the flange having a length. A rotator is supported by the support frame. A rotatable actuator is rotated by the rotator, and has an eccentric axis of rotation. The rotatable actuator is connected to the flange such that the flange moves about the axis of rotation while maintaining substantially the same orientation, movement of the flange resulting in corresponding movement of the shingle removal plate to which the flange is attached. The connection of the rotatable actuator to the flange being adjustable, thereby altering the shingle removal plate movement.

This application claims priority from Canadian Application Serial No. 2,548,920 filed May 5, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shingle removing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is provided a shingle removal tool including a support frame, means supported along the bottom of the support frame for moving the shingle removal tool along a surface, and a shingle removal plate, the shingle removal plate having a topside, an underside and a shingle removing end. A rigid linkage has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the linkage is hingedly connected to the support frame, and the second end of the linkage is hingedly connected to the underside of the shingle removal plate. A flange depends from the underside of the shingle removing tool, the flange having a length. A rotator is supported by the support frame. A rotatable actuator is rotated by the rotator, and has an eccentric axis of rotation. The rotatable actuator is connected to the flange such that the flange moves about the axis of rotation while maintaining substantially the same orientation, movement of the flange resulting in corresponding movement of the shingle removal plate to which the flange is attached. The connection of the rotatable actuator to the flange being adjustable, thereby altering the shingle removal plate movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment, a shingle removal tool generally identified by reference numeral10, will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 8.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

Referring toFIG. 1, shingle removal tool10includes a support flame12, and means, such as wheels14as depicted, supported along the bottom of support flame12for moving shingle removal tool10along a surface18. Instead of wheels14, other means could be used, such as rollers or skids (not shown). An operator's handle20is connected to support flame12to allow an operator to control the movement of shingle removal tool10. The angle of operator's handle20relative to support frame12is adjustable using a pin and hole arrangement22, although other ways of adjusting the angle are possible. For example, a continuous slot with a tightening bolt, or two profiled surfaces that engage each other when held together.

Referring toFIG. 2, shingle removal tool10also includes a shingle removal plate28. Shingle removal plate28has a topside32, an underside34, a shingle removing end36and an angled rear portion38. Shingle removing end36comprises a blade40with tines42(shown inFIG. 6) connected to shingle removal plate28. Blade40is used to work their way below the shingles44on a roof18, and then pry them away from roof18, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Tines42provide a more effective way of removing the nails48holding shingles44. At the other end of shingle removal plate28, angled rear portion38causes removed shingles to curl over so as not to interfere with the operator. The angle of rear portion38relative to the shingle removal plate28is also adjustable using a pin and hole arrangement49, although other ways of adjusting the angle are possible as described above.

The movement of shingle removal plate28is controlled by a rigid linkage50and a rotatable actuator52. Rigid linkage50has a first end54that is connected to support frame12by a hinge56, and a second end58that is connected to underside34of shingle removal plate28by a hinge59. Rotatable actuator52has an eccentric axis of rotation60and is supported by support frame12. In the depicted embodiment, rotatable actuator52is driven by a motor61and comprises a shaft62that has an offset portion64. Offset portion64is connected along the length of a flange66that depends from underside34. As shown, offset portion64has a plate68that is connected to flange66. Flange66has a slot70, such that plate68may be attached to different positions along flange66by passing bolts72through plate68and slot70. Referring toFIG. 6, another set of slots69and bolts71are used to allow motor61to move as plate68is moved. Referring toFIG. 5, plate68is shown attached at a different position along the length of flange66. Referring toFIG. 7, slots73also allow plate68to be positioned vertically. Referring toFIGS. 2 through 4, as rotatable actuator52is rotated by motor61, flange66moves about axis of rotation60while maintaining substantially the same orientation because of a bearing67. In other embodiments, rotatable actuator52may be a rotating disk or other device, and motor61may drive rotatable actuator using a belt arrangement or gears, instead of driving it directly as depicted. In the depicted embodiment, motor61is electric (powered by battery or a power source), and a controller74is provided on handle20close to where the operator will stand. However, other types of motors may be used. For example, a gas powered motor may also be used.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 8, shingle removal tool10is provided as described above. Referring toFIG. 8, shingle removal tool10may be folded compactly for ease of transport, and to make it easier to get onto of off of roof18. This is done by selecting the appropriate positions for pin and hole arrangements22and49. Once shingle removal tool10is on roof18, certain adjustments may be made depending on the preferences of the operator, the pitch of the roof, and the shingles. Referring toFIG. 2, handle20is adjustable by adjusting pin and hole arrangement22such that the height and angle of handle20may be set as desired. The angle of rear portion38of shingle removal plate28is also adjustable using pin and hole arrangement49to ensure that removed shingles curl appropriately. Finally, referring toFIG. 5, the movement of blade40of shingle removal plate28may be controlled by adjusting the position of plate68with respect to flange66. While the adjustments may be made in any order, the preferred order will be described. The first adjustment involves loosening bolts71and72and sliding them either forward or backwards within slots69and70, respectively, and tightening bolts71and72when the desired position is reached. This adjustment changes the “lift” of blade40, where a more forward position will cause blade40to lift more, whereas a position at the back of slots69and70will result in less lift, but with more force. Once the proper lift is reached, bolts72are loosened, and the angle of hinge50is set by sliding flange backward or forward (only a small amount of travel is permitted) with respect to plate68. This adjustment is made to get a more favourable motion, such that blade40is pushed under shingles44more efficiently. The final adjustment is also made with bolts72loosened, the position of plate68is adjusted vertically by sliding bolts72along slots73. This adjustment allows the user to set the appropriate orientation. Referring toFIG. 2, once shingle removal tool10is properly adjusted, motor61is turned on. Referring toFIG. 3, as rotatable actuator52rotates, shingle removal plate28and thus blade40moves in a relatively forward and downward motion as rigid linkage50bends along hinges56and59. This allows blade40to get under shingles44. Referring toFIG. 4, as flange66is pulled downward by rotating actuator52, rigid linkage50acts as a pivot point, such that blade40moves in a relatively upward direction to lift shingles44from roof18. The rest of rotatable actuator's stroke returns rigid linkage50and shingle removal plate28to its original position.