BACKGROUND
Traditionally, the most popular method for removal of shingles and the nails holding the shingles in place was with the use of a hammer or simple tools consisting of a plate or a plate with a forked edge with a handle. This method, though successful, can lead to fatigue on the operator's back or other joints. Accordingly, an improved method of removing shingles and nails is desired.
SUMMARY
As described herein, an apparatus may include a plate having a forked front portion, a bent section rear of the forked front portion, and a sloped portion extending from the bent section. The forked front portion may be configured to engage a shingle and/or nails affixing the shingle to a surface. The bent section may act as a pivot point about which the plate may rotate. When a downward force is applied to the sloped portion, the plate may rotate about the bent section such that the forked front portion pivots upwards. The upward motion of the forked front portion may lift the shingle and/or nails from the surface. The plate may be pivotally coupled to a first end of a frame. The frame may have one or more angles configured to allow the plate to pivot without requiring a user to bend over. The frame may include a handle at a second end opposite the first end to allow the user to grip the apparatus.
In some embodiments, an actuator may be coupled between the frame and the plate. The actuator may apply the force to the sloped portion of the plate to cause the plate to pivot without requiring the user to apply the force to the plate.
In some embodiments, the plate may include a fulcrum coupled to a rear surface of the sloped portion. The fulcrum may set a height to which the forked front portion rotates, which may be configured to be a height sufficient to remove the nails from the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a shingle remover in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a view of the shingle remover in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the shingle remover n the first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the shingle remover in the second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the shingle remover in the first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a view of a shingle remover according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the shingle remover according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the shingle remover according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the shingle remover according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the shingle remover according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 illustrates side views of the shingle remover in different positions and configurations according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of certain embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or its applications or uses. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present apparatuses, systems and methods, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the described apparatuses, systems and methods may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice presently disclosed apparatuses, systems and methods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of embodiments of the disclosure. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.
Apparatuses for removing coatings or coverings from surfaces are described herein. For example, apparatuses disclosed herein may be used for removing shingles and/or nails securing the shingles to a surface, such as a roof. The apparatuses may be referred to as shingle removers. However, the apparatuses may be used for removing other objects (e.g., tiles, linoleum) secured to other surfaces (e.g., plywood, flooring, decking) and are not limited to removing shingles.
FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various view of an example of a shingle remover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the same apparatus, the description herein will refer to all figures of FIGS. 1-5. When a particular feature is more easily viewed in a particular figure, it will be noted as such in the description.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shingle remover 1 may include a frame 14 pivotally coupled to a foot 2 at a first end 3 of the frame 14 and coupled to a handle 36 at a second end 5 of the frame 14 (the first end 3 and second end 5 are indicated in FIG. 2). The first end 3 of the frame 14 may be distal to a user (not shown) of the shingle remover 1 and the second end 5 of the frame 14 may be proximal to the user.
The foot 2 may include a front portion 4. The front portion 4 may be configured to engage a shingle and/or nails securing the shingle to a surface. For example, the front portion 4 may be configured to be inserted between the surface and the shingle. In some examples, such as the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the front portion 4 may be forked and include tines 6. In some examples, the front portion may include secondary tines 8 between the tines 6. The tines 6 and/or secondary tines 8 may be configured to engage nails and/or other means used to secure the shingle to the surface.
The foot 2 may include a bent portion 10. The bent portion 10 may extend the length of the foot 2 behind the front portion 4. That is, it may be proximal to the user compared to the front portion 4. In some examples, the bent portion 10 may act as a pivot point about which the foot 2 may rotate.
The foot 2 may further include a sloped portion 12 extending from the bent portion 10 towards the user. That is, the sloped portion 12 may have a proximal end closer to the user and a distal end adjacent to the bent portion 10. The sloped portion 12 may be pivotally coupled at a joint 16 to the first end 3 of the frame 14. In some examples, such as the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the joint 16 may be adjacent to the bent portion 10.
Applying a downward force to the sloped portion 12 (e.g., to the proximal end of the sloped portion 12) will cause the front portion 4 to move upward as the foot 2 pivots about the bent portion 10 and joint 16. When the front portion 4 is positioned between a surface and the shingle, for example, the upward movement of the front portion 4 may lift the shingle and/or nail away from the surface thereby removing the shingle.
For example, a user may place a foot on the proximal end of the sloped portion 12 of the foot 2 and apply a downward force on the sloped portion 12 while holding the handle 36. The foot 2 may pivot about the bent portion 10 and joint 16. Thus, the sloped portion 12 may move downward and the front portion 4 may move upward, which may lift the shingle and/or nails away from the surface.
In other examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the proximal end of the sloped portion 12 is pivotally coupled at joint 26 to an actuator 24. The actuator 24 may apply the substantially downward force to the sloped portion 12 rather than the user. The use of the actuator 24 may reduce user fatigue in some applications. The user may activate the actuator 24 by a button 32 located near the handle 36. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the actuator 24 includes a pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator may be coupled to tubes 30 which may deliver and remove air from an air compressor (not shown) which may be coupled to the shingle remover 1 at an attachment point 34 (shown in FIG. 5). However, the actuator 24 is not limited to a pneumatic actuator. For example, the actuator 24 may include a hydraulic actuator or a motorized actuator (e.g., gas or electric).
As mentioned, the actuator 24 may be pivotally coupled to the foot 2 at joint 26 at a distal end of the actuator 24. In some examples, such as the one shown in FIGS. 1-5, the actuator 24 may be coupled to a third portion of the frame 19 that extends at an angle from the first portion 18 of the frame 14. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the third portion 19 extends perpendicularly from the first portion 18. The third portion 19 may maintain a distance between the joint 26 and the first portion 18 of the frame 14, which may accommodate the size of the actuator 24 and/or at least partially maintain a desired alignment between the actuator 24 and foot 2. The actuator 24 may further be pivotally coupled to the frame 14 at joint 28 at a proximal end of the actuator 24. The joints 26 and 28 allow the actuator 24 to rotate relative to the foot 2 and frame 14, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the actuator 24 extends to apply a force to the sloped portion 12 of the foot 2, the angle 44 between the actuator 24 and the frame 14 increases while the angle 46 between the actuator 24 and the foot 2 decreases.
In some examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the shingle remover 1 may further include a fulcrum 38 located on a lower surface of the sloped portion 12. That is, the fulcrum 38 may be located on a surface of the sloped portion 12 opposite a surface Where joint 16 is located. The fulcrum 38 may be located behind the bent portion 10. That is, the fulcrum 38 may be located proximate to the user in comparison to the bent portion 10. The fulcrum 38 may allow the front portion 4 to be lifted above the surface on which the shingle is secured. For example, the fulcrum 38 may be sized to allow the front portion 4 to be raised to a height greater than a length of the nails securing the shingle to the surface. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the fulcrum 38 is implemented as two cylinders. However, the fulcrum 38 may be implemented as a single cylinder, a wedge, and/or other suitable shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the actuator 24 applies a force to the sloped portion 12 of the foot 2, the sloped portion 12 moves substantially in a direction indicated by arrow 40 and the bent portion 10 and front portion 4 moves substantially in a direction indicated by arrow 42 about the fulcrum 38. In other examples, the user may apply the downward force on the sloped portion 12 to cause the foot 2 to pivot about the fulcrum 38.
In some examples, such as the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the frame 14 may include a first portion 18 coupled to the foot 2 and a second portion 22 coupled to the handle 36. The first portion 18 and the second portion 22 may be coupled at a joint 20. The joint 20 may allow the frame to 14 to have an angle 48 (shown in FIG. 3) less than 180 degrees. The joint 20 may be fixed or the joint 20 may be hinged to allow the angle 48 to be adjusted. For example, the joint 20 may include a ratchet assembly (not shown) that may allow the angle 48 to be set at various values. The angle 48 may be configured to allow a user to use the shingle remover 1 in a comfortable position, for example, standing without bending over. In examples where the angle 48 is adjustable, the user may set the angle 48 as desired (e.g., to accommodate a height of the user). In some examples, the handle 36 may be fixedly attached to the frame 14. In other examples, the handle 36 may be pivotally or otherwise adjustably attached to the frame 14 to allow the user to adjust the handle 36 position to a desired position. The adjustability of the frame 14 and/or handle 36 may increase comfort for the user in some applications.
In use, a user may place the front portion 4 of the foot 2 under a shingle. The front portion 4 may engage a nail or other element affixing the shingle to a surface. The user may then activate the actuator 24 (e.g., by pushing button 32) to apply a force to the sloped portion 12 of the foot 2. The foot 2 may pivot about the bent portion 10 and/or fulcrum 38, which raises the front portion 4. The substantially upward force of the front portion 4 may remove the shingle and/or nails from the surface.
FIGS. 6-11 illustrate various views of an example of a shingle remover according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As FIGS. 6-11 illustrate the same apparatus, the description herein will refer to all figures of FIGS. 6-11. When a particular feature is more easily viewed in a particular figure, it will be noted as such in the description.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shingle remover 200 may include a frame 214. The frame may include a first portion 218 and a second portion 222. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the first portion 218 and second portion 222 are rectangular tubes. However, in other embodiments, the frame 214 may include round tubes and/or solid portions. The first portion 218 and second portion 222 may be coupled at a joint 220. The joint 220 may allow the frame to 214 to have an angle 248 (shown in FIG. 9) less than 180 degrees. The joint 220 may be fixed or the joint 220 may be hinged to allow the angle 248 to be adjusted. For example, the joint 220 may include a ratchet assembly (not shown) that may allow the angle 248 to be set at various values. The angle 248 may be configured to allow a user to use the shingle remover 200 in a comfortable position, for example, standing without bending over.
The frame 214 may be pivotally coupled to a wedge 238 at a first end 203 of the frame 214 and coupled to a handle 236 at a second end 205 of the frame 214 (the first end 203 and second end 205 are indicated in FIG. 7). The handle 236 may be fixedly attached (e.g., bolted, welded) to the frame 214. In other examples, the handle 236 may be pivotally or otherwise adjustably attached to the frame 214 to allow the user to adjust the handle 236 position to a desired position. The first end 203 of the frame 214 may be distal to a user (not shown) of the shingle remover 200 and the second end 205 of the frame 214 may be proximal to the user. The wedge 238 may be fixedly coupled to a foot 202.
Similar to foot 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the foot 202 may include a front portion 204. The front portion 204 may be configured to engage a shingle and/or nails securing the shingle to a surface. For example, the front portion 204 may be configured to be inserted between the surface and the shingle. In some examples, such as the example illustrated in FIGS. 6-11, the front portion 204 may be forked and include tines 206. In some examples, the front portion may include secondary tines 208 between the tines 206. The tines 206 and/or secondary tines 208 may be configured to engage nails and/or other means used to secure the shingle to the surface. In some embodiments, a width of the front portion 204 may be selected to be approximately a width of a shingle. In other embodiments, the width of the front portion 204 may be selected to be greater than or less than a shingle.
The foot 202 may include a bent portion 210. The bent portion 210 may extend the length of the foot 202 behind the front portion 204. That is, it may be proximal to the user compared to the front portion 204. The foot 202 may further include a sloped portion 212 extending from the bent portion 210 towards the user. That is, the sloped portion 212 may have a proximal end closer to the user and a distal end adjacent to the bent portion 210. The bent portion 210 may define an angle of less than 180 degrees (measured from the upper surface of the foot 202) between the front portion 204 and the sloped portion 212. The sloped portion 212 may include a slot 250 extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the slot 250 may not extend all the way to the bent portion 210.
The wedge 238 may include two separate plates 252 spaced from one another on either side of slot 250. The plates 252 may be coupled to or include wing portions 254 (e.g., visible in FIG. 8) substantially perpendicular to the plates 252. The wing portions 254 may be used to fixedly attach the wedge 238 to a lower surface 207 of the foot 202. The wedge 283 may be coupled to the foot 202 by any appropriate technique. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the wedge 238 is coupled to the foot 202 by bushings 256 (indicated in FIGS. 7-8). However, bolts, rivets, screws, and/or welds may also be used. The wedge 238 may include a rounded portion 258 (indicated in FIGS. 9-10) which may act as (e.g., used to implement) a fulcrum, similar to the cylinders of fulcrum 38 shown in FIGS. 1-5.
The first end 203 of the frame 214 may pass through the slot 250 between the two plates 252 and pivotally coupled to the wedge 238 at joint 216. In some examples, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the frame 214 may be coupled to the wedge 238 by a clevis pin, but other techniques for pivotally coupling the frame 214 to the wedge 238 may be used in other examples.
Applying a downward force to the sloped portion 212 (e.g., to the proximal end of the sloped portion 212) will cause the front portion 204 to move upward as the foot 202 pivots about the rounded portion 258 and joint 216. When the front portion 204 is positioned between a surface and the shingle, for example, the upward movement of the front portion 204 may lift the shingle and/or nail away from the surface thereby removing the shingle.
For example, a user may place a foot on the proximal end of the sloped portion 212 of the foot 202 and/or wedge 238 and apply a downward force on the sloped portion 212 and/or wedge 238 while holding the handle 236. The foot 202 may pivot about the rounded portion 258 and joint 216. Thus, the proximal end of the sloped portion 212 may move downward and the front portion 204 may move upward, which may lift the shingle and/or nails away from the surface.
In other examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 6-11, a proximal end of the wedge 238 is pivotally coupled at joint 226 (indicated in FIGS. 9-10) to an actuator 224. As shown in the pictured embodiment, the distal end of the actuator 224 may be pivotally coupled between the two plates 252. In some embodiments, the actuator 224 may be coupled to the plates 252 by a clevis pin, but other techniques for pivotally coupling the actuator 224 to the wedge 238 may be used. In some embodiments, the joint 226 may be located at one or more positions along the wedge 238. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-10, the joint 226 is located at a position 209, but may alternatively be located at position 211 as shown in FIG. 11. Although two positions are shown in FIGS. 6-11, in other embodiments, the actuator 224 may be coupled at more or fewer positions along the wedge 238. The actuator 224 may be further coupled at a joint 228 to one or more plates 219 of frame 214. The one or more plates 219 may be coupled to the first portion 218 and second portion 222 of the frame 214 proximate the joint 220. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the actuator 224 is coupled between two plates 219 by a clevis pin. However, other coupling techniques may be used. The one or more plates 219 may maintain a distance between the joint 228 and the frame 214, which may accommodate the size and/or range of motion of the actuator 224 and/or at least partially maintain a desired alignment between the actuator 224 and foot 202. The joints 226 and 228 allow the actuator 224 to rotate relative to the foot 202 and frame 214, respectively.
The actuator 224 may apply a substantially downward force to the wedge 238 rather than the user. The use of the actuator 224 may reduce user fatigue in some applications. The user may activate the actuator 224 by a button 232 (indicated in FIGS. 9-10) located near the handle 236. In some examples, the actuator 224 may include a cylinder and a piston. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the actuator 224 includes a pneumatic actuator including a cylinder and piston. However, the actuator 224 is not limited to a pneumatic actuator. For example, the actuator 224 may include a hydraulic actuator or a motorized actuator (e.g., gas or electric). The actuator 224 may be coupled to tubes 230. When the actuator 224 is pneumatic, the tubes 230 may deliver and/or remove air from the cylinder to extend the piston and/or permit the piston to retract.
The tubes 230 may be further coupled to a connection box 260 (indicated in FIGS. 8-9). The connection box 260 may be coupled to the frame 214 at the second end 205 proximate the handle 236. In embodiments where the actuator 224 is a pneumatic actuator, the connection box 260 may receive air from an air compressor (not shown) which may be coupled to the connection box 260 at an attachment point 234 (indicated in FIGS. 7-8). In other embodiments, the connection box 260 may be coupled to a fluid source and/or a power source. The connection box 260 may include the button 232. When depressed, the button 232 may couple one or both of tubes 230 to the air, fluid, and/or power source to actuate the actuator 224.
In some embodiments, the connection box 260 may be coupled to the frame 214 such that the connection box 260 is spaced apart from the frame 214 by a connector 262 having a flat portion 264 coupled to the connection box 260, a flat portion 266 coupled to the frame 214, and an angled portion 268 coupling the two flat portions 264, 266 (indicated in FIG. 9). The flat portion 264 may be coupled to the connection box by bolts, rivets, welds, and/or any other suitable coupling technique. The flat portion 266 may be coupled to the frame 214 by bolts, rivets, welds, and/or any other suitable coupling technique. In some applications, spacing the connection box 260 away from the frame 214 may permit the button 232 to have a larger diameter, which may make the button 232 easier to depress by the user. Optionally, in some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the connector 262 may include a safety plate 270 (indicated in FIGS. 8-9) coupled to the flat portion 264. The safety plate 270 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the flat portion 264 between the connection box 260 and the button 232. The safety plate 270 may include a slot 272 (visible in FIG. 8) that permits the button 232 to be coupled to the connection box 260. The safety plate 270 may a length and a width greater than a diameter of the button 232. The safety plate 270 may help prevent unintended depressing of the button 232 when the shingle remover 200 is not being used (e.g., placed on the ground).
FIG. 11 illustrates side views of the shingle remover 200 in different positions and configurations according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown, the shingle remover 200 is located on a roof having a 5/12 pitch. In a first position 300, the actuator 224 may be retracted and the front portion 204 of the foot 202 may contact the roof surface 301 and the wedge 238 may contact and/or be positioned slightly above (0.45 inches in the example in FIG. 11) roof surface 301. In the example shown in FIG. 11, an angle between the sloped portion 212 and the roof surface 301 may be 45 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the angle of the sloped portion 212 may be different in the first position 300.
In a second position 305, the actuator 224 may be extended and the front portion 204 of the foot 202 is lifted above the roof surface 301 (4.92 inches in the example in FIG. 11) and the wedge 238 is in contact with the roof surface 301. When the actuator 224 extends (e.g., responsive to a user pushing button 232), transitioning the shingle remover from the first position 300 to the second position 305, the angle 244 between the actuator 224 and the frame 214 increases while the angle 246 between the actuator 224 and the wedge 238 decreases.
In use, a user may place the front portion 204 of the foot 202 under a shingle. The front portion 204 may engage a nail or other element affixing the shingle to the roof surface 301. The user may then activate the actuator 224 (e.g., by pushing button 232) to apply a force to the wedge 238. The foot 202 may pivot about the curved portion 258, which raises the front portion 204. The substantially upward force of the front portion 204 may remove the shingle and/or nails from the roof surface 301.
FIG. 11 also shows the shingle remover 200 in an alternative configuration 310. In the alternative configuration 310, the joint 226 is located at position 211 on the wedge 238 rather than position 209 as illustrated in positions 300 and 305. In the alternative configuration 310, a distance between the handle 236 is a shorter distance from the roof surface 301 than in the position 300. In the example in FIG. 11, in position 300, the handle 236 is 38.4 inches above the roof surface 301 and in the alternative configuration 310, the handle 236 is 31.4 inches and the distance between positions 209 and 211 is one inch. These dimensions are provided only for exemplary purposes and the disclosure is not limited to these particular dimensions. In some embodiments, which position 209 or 211 is chosen for joint 226 may be based, at least in part, on a height of the user. For example, a shorter user may prefer position 211. In some embodiments, which position 209 or 211 is chosen for joint 226 may be based, at least in part, on a pitch of the roof. For example, position 211 may be preferable for roofs with a pitch steeper than 5/12.
In the embodiments described herein, the frame, handle, foot, fulcrum, wedge, and/or various plates of the shingle remover may be made of metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel or titanium. However, in some embodiments, one or more components may be made of carbon fiber and/or other composite materials which may or may not include metal. The tubes and/or button may be plastic, rubber, and/or other suitable materials in some embodiments.
The apparatuses described herein may allow for the removal of shingles and/or other materials from surfaces with reduced user fatigue in some applications. The apparatuses described herein may allow for faster removal of shingles and/or other materials from surfaces in some applications.
Of course, it is to be appreciated that any one of the examples, embodiments or processes described herein may be combined with one or more other examples, embodiments and/or processes or be separated and/or performed amongst separate devices or device portions in accordance with the present apparatuses, devices and methods. For example portion 19 of shingle remover 1 may be used to couple actuator 224 to frame 214 rather than the one or more plates 219.
Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present apparatus and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present system has been described in particular detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devised by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the present system as set forth in the claims that follow. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20210025171
