Abstract:
This invention relates to a portable and easy to use device for measuring and cutting a starter course set for shingling a roof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This present invention relates to the field of roofing. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for precisely measuring and cutting architectural style roofing shingles, so that the resulting roofing job is both attractive and creates minimal waste. Composition shingles are in demand for roofing projects because their use reduces both material costs and labor costs, as single shingles can be used to cover greater areas, and require less time to cover a roof. 
         [0002]    Composition shingles reduce labor and material costs because a single unit contains more than one shingle. For both aesthetic and practical reasons (relating to the runoff of rain water) the shingles must be staggered to create parallel unbroken lines when used along the straight edge of a gabled roof. The staggering must be done such that the shingle slot of a given shingle does not match up with the slot of the immediately adjacent shingles. When shingling a roof, a “starter step course” is used for the first portion of the roof. It has been the practice of roofers to lay down the first row of shingles utilizing a full three shingle unit and then staggering each unit from this particular shingle The standard factory recommended dimension in roofing systems for cutting the these starter step shingles is 5⅝″. Currently, there are a number of different ways people in the field attempt to achieve the 5⅝″ setback. Some individuals will use a tape measure to get the 3 cuts and a framing square for cutting. Others will set a shingle in place then mark the far edge and then cut from their mark. Still others will place a mark on their nail gun and then freehand cut the shingle without a square. In all of these methods, there remains a portion of the shingle that is “scrap” which must either be thrown out or which must be carried to the other side of the roof for use. With the present invention the “scrap” end of each shingle is usable for the steps. Further, the present invention provides for superior precision in cutting the shingles because of its specific shape and features. The present invention can be used for cutting the right hand ends of shingles when finishing the rows. Another use is to create ¾″ overhang at gabel ends by using the stop at the outside end of a roof. 
         [0003]    In light of the above prior art and difficulties, it is the object of the present invention to provide a template for a person engaging in a roofing project to quickly, accurately and easily precut shingle units to the desired size with the portions normally treated as “scrap” remaining usable without any additional effort by the roofer. 
         [0004]    In addition, due to the size, shape and construction of the present invention, a second device could be used as a cutting board to be placed under the shingles while using the first device to measure the cuts to be made. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a roofing tool comprising a flat surface with cutting marks or slots at specific positions and a lip enabling easy, efficient and precise cutting of composition shingles. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the body of the device is a rectangle with two cutting slots. In another embodiment of the invention, the body of the device is shaped like an L with two notches in place of the cutting slots. In yet another embodiment, in the body of the device an angle is cut across bottom instead of a basic rectangular shape, for purposes of cutting valleys. In all embodiments, the notches or slots on the main body are placed at specific distances from each other and from the sides of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top side view of the preferred embodiment of the device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an under side view of the preferred embodiment of the device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3   a  is an L shaped embodiment of the device 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   b  is an alternate view of the L shaped embodiment of the device 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the L shape embodiment showing a variant element. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5   a  is a 2½″ embodiment of the device 
           [0012]      FIG. 5   b  is an alternate view of the 2½″ embodiment of the device 
           [0013]      FIG. 6   a  is an angle bottom embodiment of the device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6   b  is an alternate view of the angle bottom embodiment of the device 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  the device is a simple structure preferably fabricated from molded plastic, but which could also be made from wood, metal or other hard substance. The device comprises a flat rectangular body  1  measuring 14½″ high by 16⅞″ wide, upon the middle of which there are two slots,  2  and  3 . Slots  2  and  3  are of equal size, and slot  2  is 5⅝″ from the side edge  4  and 5⅝″ from slot  3 . Slot  3  is also 5⅝″ from side edge  5 . 
         [0016]    In  FIG. 2  the same elements of the device can be seen with the device turned over. Specifically Body  1 , slots  2  and  3 , side edges  4  and  5  and lip  6  can be seen from the bottom. Body  1  also contains a lip  6  on the underside of the top edge  31  of the body that allows the device to not slip off of the composition shingles to be cut using the device 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 3   a , another embodiment of the device is shown where Body  7  is shaped like an L measuring 14½″ high along Side Arm  10  by 16⅞″ wide along Top Arm  9 . Side Arm  9  and Side Arm  10  are joined at corner  8 . Top Arm  9  is 6⅜″ tall, and Side Arm  10  is 5⅝″ wide. Measuring Notch  11  is on Top Arm  9  exactly 5⅝″ from Edge  13 . Measuring Notch  12  is 5⅝″ from Edge  14 , and 5⅝″ from Measuring Notch  11 . This embodiment is shown upside down so that Lip  6  on the bottom of Top Arm  9  can be seen.  FIG. 3   b  shows a variation of this embodiment where a second lip  6 ′ is on the underside of Body  7  in the same position on Top Arm  9  that lip  6  is on the front side of Body  7 . 
         [0018]    In  FIG. 4 , a variant element for all embodiments is shown, in which in addition to lip  6  on one side of the top edge of the body (shown in connection with Top Arm  9  of Body  17  of  FIG. 3 ), a second lip  6 ′ is on the reverse side of the body in the identical position. This allows for ease of use by both left and right handed individuals. 
         [0019]    In  FIG. 5   a , another embodiment of the device is shown which is a variant of the L shaped device of  FIG. 3 . Body  15  is shaped like an L, with Top Arm  17  measuring 16⅞″ wide and 3¼″ high and Side Arm  18  measuring 14½″ tall and 2½″ wide. Top Arm  17  and Side Arm  18  are joined only at the top corner  16 . Top Arm  17  is 3¼″ high and Side arm  18  is 2½″ wide. Measuring notch  19  is on top arm  17  exactly 5⅝″ from Edge  21 . Measuring notch  20  is 5⅝″ from Edge  22 , and 5⅝″ from Measuring notch  19 . This embodiment is shown upside down so that Lip  6  on the bottom of Top Arm  17  can be seen.  FIG. 5   b  shows a variation of this embodiment where a second Lip  6 ′ is on the underside of Body  15  in the same position on Top Arm  17  that Lip  6  is on the front side of Body  15 . 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 6   a , another embodiment of the device is shown in which Body  23  has top edge  24  that measures 16⅞″ wide, side edge  25  that measures 14½″, and opposite side edge  27  that measures 2¼″ from top edge  24 , and bottom edge  26  that measures 1½″ from side edge  25 . Slot  29  is exactly 5⅝″ from Edge  25 . Measuring notch  30  is 5⅝″ from Edge  27 , and 5⅝″ from Measuring notch  29 . This embodiment is shown upside down so that Lip  6  on the bottom of Top Edge  24  can be seen.  FIG. 6   b  shows a variation of this embodiment where a Second Lip  6 ′ is on the underside of Body  13  in the same position on Top Edge  24  that Lip  6  is on the front side of Body  15 . 
         [0021]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation the reduction of wasted materials and time and enhancement of efficiency while preparing shingles through provision of superior guidelines. All of these advantages enable a superior final roofing product when the invention is used. 
         [0022]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method and examples herein. The invention should not be limited by the above described embodiment, method and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.