Roof shingle and nail remover

A hand tool for removing roofing shingles and nails. The tool has a head attached to an elongated handle. The head has a wedge-shaped cross profile. The head is comprised of a plurality of identical, parallel blades, having a relatively flat, pointed leading edge adapted to be removed. The blade leading edge rises in vertical height to a trailing edge. The trailing edge is connected to a handle. Spacers are attached between the blades to form spacing between blades sufficient to trap any roofing nails holding a shingle to an underlying roof sheath.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hand tools, and in particular, to a hand tool for simultaneously removing shingles and nails from a roof.

Roofs for many contemporary single family and multiple family dwelling structures utilize an outer roof covering consisting of fibrous shingles nailed to a plywood sheathing roof construction. The roofs are covered with a plurality of overlapping, horizontally aligned rows of shingles. The shingles may be made of asphalt or wood and are nailed or stapled to the underlying plywood sheathing. Generally, beginning with the bottom or lower-most edge of the roof, the shingles are nailed in place with successive layers or rows overlapping the top of the preceding below-mounted row. The shingles are generally attached to the roof sheathing by nailed or staples.

Due to the inherent exposure to the elements, roofing materials have a limited effective life. This means that roofing materials must be replaced periodically during the useful life of the dwelling structure to ensure continued protection from weather. Replacement usually requires that all of the roofing materials be removed and replaced with new roofing materials. Since roofing materials are generally attached to a structure by fastening elements such as nails or staples, removal is difficult, tedious, and dangerous.

Various tools have heretofore been provided for removing old shingles preparatory to the installation of new roofing material. Designs heretofore provided either do not provide sufficient mechanical advantage for ease in removal of roofing nails or are not efficient for rapid removal. Nearly all prior art tools require a physical prying motion by the tool user. Typically, shingles are removed from a roof structure by using a chisel or pry bar type tool or spade fork leaving nails behind for a second operation with a claw hammer. The process involves inserting the chisel or pry bar underneath the uppermost shingle and then lifting the exposed end of the chisel or pry bar to push the uppermost shingle away from the underlying shingles. The process is time-consuming and relatively inefficient. Usually several back and forth motions of the chisel or pry bar are required to remove a given shingle from the roof surface.

In the past dismantling tools adapted for removal of spaced rows of roofing nails and roofing materials were constructed from a plurality of spaced wedge shaped plates fixedly mounted to each other. The tool is used to drive under and pry off roofing shingles, nails, and generally removal of fastened shingle or panel stock. Typically the wedge shaped plates have a straight chisel leading edge an angled side profile and mounting member, prior art 3,074,694 shows this configuration that is common in the arts, herein incorporated by reference. The inventor has realized the shortcomings of such prior art and has made many improvements in the technology of dismantling tools. For example in the past these tools having plates and spacers are generally fabricated by welding together the plates and spacers. This method of manufacture does not allow for the tool blade to be replaced easily whereas the present invention being attached via a detachable retaining member allows the tool to be assembled and disassembled easily and more efficiently. In addition the inventor has also realized that the prior art showing the chisel shaped leading edge is not as efficient as the inventors pointed leading blade. In the prior art as the tool is moved forward the tools chisel point would hit a nail or staple stopping the tools forward motion. The present invention with its geometry and material will allow the tool to guide along or find the nail resulting in the nail shank moving smoothly into the gullet of the tool and as the head of the nail rides up the blade wherein removing the nail in one forward motion, therein dismantling the subject material.

Further improvements of the present inventions includes geometry improvements over the prior art that allow for the tool to be fabricated and used in a wider verity of ways, more effectively and efficiently than tools of the past. Some of these improvements include a curvilinear top, the pointed leading edge, the separable blade assembly, the variable gullet spacing (as shown in one embodiment in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 having angled blade sides) preventing the gullets from becoming clogged during use, all thereby allowing for a smoother nail shingle removal action. The inventor has incorporated into his invention a variable gullet distance between the blades. This variable distance will prevent debris from becoming clogged between the blades. Typically the present invention's geometry would have the gullet distance between the center of the blades narrower and then becoming wider at the top and the bottom of the blade allowing material that has been pushed between the blades to be released easily, i.e. note becoming wedged between the blades. In addition the distance between the blades may vary from the leading edge to the trailing edge such that the leading edge width of the blade is wider than the trailing edge width creating a variable gullet width further preventing material from becoming lodged between the blades. This variable distance can be a rake angle that is incorporated into the sides of each blade. Even further improvements made by the inventor include pointed tips that allow for less impact resistance, the inventor has found chisel tips less effective, prior welded assemblies are welded steel assemblies that generally do not allow for use of heat treaded replaceable blades having better ware and usability characteristics. Usability characteristics are described in the context of the present invention in one embodiment allows the blade to laterally flex during use. Using the invention entails pushing the tool along a surface inserting the wedge shaped blade members underneath an exposed edge of the panel to me removed. The plurality of pointed wedge shaped blade members having a predetermined flexing characteristic wherein pushing the wedge shaped blade members contacting a fastener resulting in a flexing of the blade member allowing for the tool to continue forward motion. The tool blade flexes as it contacts the fastener shank guiding the tool along. Without the lateral flex the tool would either bend the fastener and/or stop the tools forward motion, resulting in requiring more work to remove the panel and fastener.

It is the object of this invention to provide a new useful tool to allow the user of the tool to strip roofing shingles, strip or demolish panel sheathing or even strip any fastener secured panel material or any other like demolition needs. Improvements herein include a tool that is easily manufactured having blade replacement, advanced blade geometry, advanced blade hardness, the assembly used as a hand tool or machine adapted, in general

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention, although useful for all types of roofing removal, is especially useful for removing single layer shingles attached to plywood sheathing with nails or staples. The present invention provides a hand tool for removing shingles and roof nails from a roof quickly and with less effort on the part of the user. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool has a head attached to an elongated handle. The head has a wedge-shaped cross profile, said head being comprised of a plurality of identical, parallel blades, having a relatively flat, pointed leading edge adapted to being inserted underneath the exposed edge of a shingle to be removed, said leading edge rising in height to a trailing edge, said trailing edge being connected to a handle. The spacing between blades is sufficient to trap any roofing nails holding the shingle to the underlying roof sheath. As the tool is pushed forward, the rising height of the head pushes up the shingle and extracts the captured nails. No prying motion by the user is required.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom-rear perspective thereof without a handle;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a handle attachment piece;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a spacer piece;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a blade;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the head; and

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the head.

FIG. 10 is perspective view of the blade

FIG. 11 is a side view of the blade

FIG. 12 is a top view of two blades and a spacer

FIG. 13 is a front view of two blades and a spacer

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the blade having double end and with attachment member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown a roof shingle and nail remover hand tool 1 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The tool 1 is comprised generally of a head assembly 10 attached to an elongated handle 5, said head assembly 10 having a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile. The head 10 has a front, leading edge 11, a rear, trailing edge 12, a top 13, a flat bottom 14, and two opposite, parallel sides 15, said front 11 and rear 12 defining a head assembly longitudinal axis. The head assembly 10 is comprised of a number of identical, parallel blades 20 with spacers 30 there between. Two handle attachment pieces 40 replace two of the spacers 30 and are adapted to provide attachment means for the handle 5. The handle 5 is attached to the head assembly rear 12.

Each blade 20 has a front leading edge 21, rear trailing edge 22, top 23, bottom 24, and two opposing, parallel sides 25. The front leading edge 21 and rear trailing edge 22 define a blade longitudinal axis. The blade 20 has a narrow side-to-side width in relation to its front-to-rear length. The blade front leading edge 21 is relatively pointed. The side profile of the blade bottom 24 is flat. The side profile of the blade top 23 has a forward section 27 and a rearward section 28, said forward section 27 being defined as a section from the blade leading edge 21 to a designated point 26, said rearward section 28 being defined as a section from the designated point 26 to the blade rear trailing edge 22. The forward section 27 has a curvilinear rising profile from the pointed leading edge 21 to the designated longitudinal point 26. The rearward section 28 from the designated point 26 to the rear trailing edge is flat, parallel to the blade bottom 24. The blade 20 has two round side-to-side holes 29 formed therein near to the blade rear 22, said holes 29 are preferably positioned one over another and at a vertical angle to each other.

As may be mostly clearly seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the blade front leading edge 11 is pointed and just thinner than the nail head protrusion in order to engage and seat the nail head on the blade top 23. This prevents sudden shearing or tipping of the nail head. The blade leading edge 11 also is pointed to prevent the blade leading edge 11 from digging into the underlying plywood sheathing and to deflect debris away from the gullets formed between blades by the spacers. The shape of the incline of the top 23 of the blade forward section 27 is an arc which allows for a low angle efficient wedge when the nail is at its tightest, but rises rapidly as the nail loosens. Total rise is determined by nail length and is no higher than the nail length to maximize the cleaning action of the shank. The nail is typically fully disengaged from the plywood sheathing at the blade top designated point 26 and is carried away by an attached shingle. As the head assembly 10 continues to move forward, the shape of the forward portion of the spacer 30 combined with the force of the next nail coming through causes any debris or loose nails to be expelled from the head assembly 10. The blade rear 22 and spacer rear 32 may have channels 37 formed therein to remove weight from the head assembly 10 without sacrificing strength

Each spacer 30 has a front 31, rear 32, top 33, bottom 34, and two opposing, parallel sides 35. The spacer 30 has a narrow side-to-side width. Each spacer 30 has two round side-to-side holes 36 formed therein, preferably positioned one over another and at a vertical angle to each other.

The head assembly 10 is comprised of a number of aligned blades 20 with spacers 30 in between, so that the blade holes 29 and spacer holes 36 are aligned. The alternate spacer 30, blade 20 arrangement form open gullets 38 between the blades 20. Two of the spacers 30 are replaced with handle attachment pieces 40. Each handle attachment piece 40 has a front section 41 having a profile and thickness identical to that of a spacer 30, including two vertically angled, side-to-side holes 42. Each attachment piece 40 has an elongated rear section 43 with two side-to-side holes 44 formed therein along the rear section length.

Two bolts 2, each bolt having a head 3 and an opposite threaded end 4, are inserted through the holes 29, 36, and 42. The bolt heads 3 each have a diameter greater than the diameters of the blade holes 29, spacer holes 36, and attachment piece holes 42. A fastener 6 is then threadingly attached to said bolt threaded ends 4 thereby holding the blade and spacer head assembly 10 in place. The bolts 2 with engaged fasteners 6 compress the blades 20 and spacers 30 together providing substantial strength to the head assembly 10.

The head assembly 10 is attached to a handle 5. The handle 5 is adapted to fit between the attachment piece rear sections 43. Handle bolts 7 are inserting through the attachment piece rear section holes 44 and through corresponding holes (not shown) formed in the handle 5. Fasteners (not shown) are attached to the handle bolts 7 thereby securing the handle 5 to the attachment pieces 40.

The object of the invention tool 1 to separate shingles and nails from a roof surface in one continuous forward movement without a second prying motion. The blade 20 size and shape and spacing between blades, permits the head assembly leading edge 11 to by-pass by nail shanks and engage nail heads vertically on the blade tops 23. The forward motion of the head assembly 10 and the rise of the blade tops 23 forces nails upward and out of the underlying plywood sheathing. The flatness of the head assembly bottom 14 keeps the tool head 10 properly aligned against the underlying plywood sheathing. Combined with the force of incoming nails, the slanted position of the forward portions of the spacers 30 allows the nails and debris to pass out of the head assembly 10 unhindered. The head assembly 10 is therefore self-cleaning.

The width of the spacers 30 are a function of the nail sizes to be removed from the roof. The blade fronts 21 are pointed creating funnels which most often allows the gullets 38 to engage nail shanks. Furthermore, the blades 20 are fastened to the head assembly 10 at the blade rears 22 providing less rigidity and some flexibility in the blade leading edges 21. This further enhances the ability of the head assembly leading edge 11 to engage nail shanks.

It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the head assembly 10 could be made or formed from one piece. However, applicant believes the preferred embodiment is the laminated version described above. Spacers and/or blades of different thicknesses may be assembled to accommodate different roofing structures.

A demolition tool 1 adapted for separating fastener attached materials and fasteners from a surface. Fastener attached materials that include shingles fastened in place via nails, panel under-layment, asphalt roof shingles fastened by nails, screws or staples, boards fastened in place with screws, nails, staples or adhesives, and other common construction materials fastened in similar ways. The demolition tool 1 having a head assembly 10, the head assembly having a substantially wedge shaped cross sectional profile. The head assembly having a front leading edge 11, a rear, trailing edge 12, a top 13, a bottom 14 and opposite sides 15. The head assembly 10 including a plurality of blades fixedly attached together. The blade top 13 having a forward section 27 formed from the blade leading edge 11 to a longitudinal designated location, and a rearward section 28 from the designated point to the blade rear trailing edge 22. The forward section 27 having a curvilinear raising side profile 23 proceeding from the pointed leading edge 21 to the longitudinal designated location. The front and rear defining a head assembly 10 longitudinal axis, said head assembly 10 trailing edge 12 being fixedly attached to a mount.

The blade assembly 10 having a plurality of identical, removable, substantially parallel blades, each blade including a pointed leading edge 21 adapted to being inserted underneath an exposed edge of a shingle to be removed, each said blade having a front leading edge 11 rising in vertical height to a rear trailing edge 12. Edges and surfaces of the blade converge to form a point 21 or tapered end suitable for piercing or in the context of the tool to penetrate under the leading edge of a shingle or nail for ease of tool use and removal. The hand tool head assembly 10 having removable blades such that blades can be replaced quickly and easily upon blade ware or damage. In one illustration the blade assembly having a plurality of spacers 30 interspaced between said blades wherein open elongated gullets 38 are formed between each blade. In another illustration the blades themselves have bosses built into the blade so as when assembled into a head assembly 10 the assembly forms gullets 38 between each blade. In one illustration the gullet distance between the blades is a variable distance 38a, this variable distance will discourage debris from becoming wedged between the blades during use. The blade assembly also having a mount attachment member 40, said attachment member adapted to provide an attachment between the head assembly 10 and a handle 5, machine mount or the like. The blade mount attachment member 40 having an attachment member that can include, nuts 6, bolts 2, threads, rivets, weldment and similar fixedly attachment means to secure handle 5 to head assembly 10. In an illustration each said blade has said front 11 leading edge, said rear trailing edge 12, a top 13, a bottom, and opposing sides 15, said front leading edge 11 and rear trailing edge 22 defining a blade longitudinal axis, each said blade having a narrow side-to-side width in relation to front-to-rear and a pointed front leading edge 11. In one illustration the side of the blade includes a plurality of surfaces whereas to vary the gullet 38 space between each blade. In yet an other illustration the distance between the blades forming the gullet varies from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Varying the gullet space will promote less debris binding within the gullet during use. Each blade side member having a first side surface 50, a second side surface 51, a third side surface 52 and a fourth side surface 53. In one illustration to form the variable gullet the geometry is such that the first side surface 50 is located along the bottom edge starting along the bottom 14 angling outward from the blades centerline meeting the second surface 51. The second surface 51 then angling inward toward the blade centerline meeting the top surface 23. The third side (opposite the first surface) surface 52 starting along the bottom edge 14 angling outward from the blades 20 centerline meeting the fourth surface 53, the fourth surface (opposite the second surface) then angling inward toward the blade centerline meeting the top surface 23 edge.

In the preferred embodiment each of the blades comprises a plurality of openings therein such as holes 46, so that a retaining member or attachment means can be passed through the opening fixedly attaching a plurality of blades together. The blade 20 may include a second rearwardly facing leading edge 48 wherein the tool can be used in a second prying motion. Typical attachment members are nuts 6, bolts 2, rods, clamps, screws or the like. In one illustration the blade 20 having a curvilinear bottom 49 such that in use the head assembly 10 is resistant to binding along the surface it is used against and also changing the assemblies prying fulcrum point. In an illustration having spacers 30 each spacer has a front 31, rear 32, top 33, bottom 34, and two opposing parallel sides 35, each spacer having a narrow side-to-side width, each spacer having a plurality of openings 36 formed therein such that the openings align with the openings within the blades 20 wherein the spacers 30 and blade openings are coincident, mounting hardware can be passed through the openings within the blades 20 and spacers such that the plurality of blades and spacers are fixedly attached together.

In one embodiment an elongated handle 5 is adapted to fit with the attachment member 40 rear section 43 fixedly attaching the handle 5 to the head assembly 10. The leading edge 11 having a point, a first top surface, a second top surface and a bottom surface, the first and second surface angle from the point 21 back to the top 13 of the blade 20, the bottom surface angles upward from the bottom surface to the point.

Claims

1. A hand tool adapted for separating roofing shingles and nails from a roof surface in one continuous forward motion without a second prying motion, comprising:

an elongated handle:
a head assembly having a wedge-shaped cross profile, and having a front, leading edge, a rear, trailing edge, a top, a flat bottom, and two opposite, parallel sides, said front and rear defining a head assembly longitudinal axis, said head assembly trailing edge being attached to said elongated handle, said head assembly being comprised of,
a plurality of identical, parallel blades, having a pointed leading edge adapted to being inserted underneath an exposed edge of a roofing shingle to be removed, each said blade having a front leading edge rising in vertical height to a rear trailing edge, each said blade has said front leading edge, said rear trailing edge, a top, a bottom, and two opposing, flat, parallel sides, said front leading edge and rear trailing edge defining a blade longitudinal axis, each said blade having a narrow side-to-side width in relation to a front-to-rear length, each said blade having a flat bottom side profile.
a plurality of spacers interspersed between said blades; wherein open, elongated gullets are formed between each blade, and;
a two handle attachment pieces replacing two of the spacers, said attachment pieces adapted to provide attachment means for the handle, the side profile of the blade top has a forward section from the blade leading edge to a longitudinal designated point and a rearward section from the designated point to the blade rear trailing edge, said forward section having a curvilinear rising side profile from the flat, pointed leading edge to the longitudinal designated point, said rearward section from the designated point to the rear trailing edge being flat and parallel to the blade bottom.

2. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

each said blade has two round side-to-side holes formed therein near to the blade rear, said holes being positioned one over another and at a vertical angle to each other.

3. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

each spacer has a front, rear, top, bottom, and two opposing, parallel sides, each said spacer having a narrow side-to-side width, each said spacer having two round side-to-side holes formed therein, said holes being positioned one over another and at a vertical angle to each other, each spacer front and top forming a rearwardly and upwardly slanting surface.

4. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

each handle attachment piece has a front section having a profile and thickness identical to that of a spacer, including two vertically angled, side-to-side holes, and an elongated rear section with two side-to-side holes formed therein along the rear section length.

5. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the head assembly blades, spacers and attachment pieces are aligned so that their holes are coincident.

6. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

two elongated bolts, each bolt having a head and an opposite threaded end, said bolts adapted to be inserted through the blade, spacer and attachment piece holes, said bolt heads each having a diameter greater than diameters of the blade holes, spacer holes, and attachment piece holes; a plurality of fasteners, each said fastener being threadingly attached to said bolt threaded ends, said bolts with engaged fasteners compressing the blades, spacers and attachment pieces together.

7. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said elongated handle is adapted to fit between the attachment piece rear sections and attached to said attachment piece rear sections by handle bolts inserted through the attachment piece rear section holes and through corresponding holes formed in the handle.

8. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the spacers between blades permits the head assembly leading edge to by-pass a nail shank and engage a nail head vertically on the blade tops.

9. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the forward motion of the head assembly and the rise of the blade tops are adapted to force nails upward and out of the underlying roof surface, wherein the flatness of the head assembly bottom is adapted to keeping the head assembly aligned against the underlying roof surface, wherein each spacer front and top slanting surface allows nails to pass out of the head assembly unhindered.

10. A hand tool as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a channel in each blade rear trailing edge, spacer rear and handle attachment piece.

11. A demolition tool adapted for separating fastener attached materials and fasteners from a surface comprising:

a head assembly having a plurality of substantially wedge shaped cross sectional profile blade members, the head assembly having a front leading edge, a rear, trailing edge, a top, a bottom and opposite sides, the sides having a profile of the blade top having a forward section from the blade leading edge to a longitudinal designated location and a rearward section from the designated point to the blade rear trailing edge, said front and rear defining a head assembly longitudinal axis, said head assembly trailing edge being adapted to attach to a mount, said head assembly being comprised of,
a plurality of identical, removable, substantially parallel blade members having a leading edge adapted to being inserted underneath an exposed edge of a panel to be removed, each said blade having a front leading edge rising in vertical height to a rear trailing edge;
a plurality of spacers interspaced between said blades wherein open elongated gullets are formed between each blade; and, each said blade has said front leading edge, said rear trailing edge, a top, a bottom, and two opposing sides, said front leading edge and rear trailing edge defining a blade longitudinal axis, each said blade having a narrow side-to-side width in relation to front-to-rear and a pointed front leading edge.

12. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

each of the blades comprises at least one opening therein, such that the a retaining member can be passed through the hole fixedly attaching a plurality of blades together.

13. A demolition tool of claim 12 wherein;

each spacer has a front, rear, top, bottom, and two opposing parallel sides, each spacer having a narrow side-to-side width, each spacer having a plurality of openings formed therein such that the openings align with the openings within the blades wherein the spacers and blade openings are coincident, mounting hardware can be passed through the openings within the blades and spacers such that the plurality of blades and spacers are fixedly attached together.

14. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

an elongated handle is adapted to fit with the attachment member rear section fixedly attaching the mount member to the head assembly.

15. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

the leading edge having a point, a first top surface, a second top surface and a bottom surface, the first and second surface angle from the point back to the top of the blade, the bottom surface angles upward from the bottom surface to the point.

16. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

each of the blades comprises a curvilinear bottom.

17. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

each of the blades is replaceable.

18. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

the blade forward section includes a curvilinear raising side profile from the, pointed leading edge to the longitudinal designated location.

19. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

said attachment member adapted to provide attachment such that the head assembly is adapted to mount to a machine.

20. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

the blade members leading edge is pointed.

21. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

each of the blades comprises a plurality of attachment points therein, such that a plurality of blade members can be fixedly attached together.

22. A demolition tool of claim 21, wherein;

attachment points include openings in the blade such that a bolt can pass through the opening thereby affixing a plurality of blade members together.

23. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

the blade is constructed from a heat treated metal.

24. A demolition tool of claim 11, wherein;

the assembly head includes a mount attachment member, said mount attachment member adapted to provide attachment for keeping members such as a handle.

25. A demolition tool adapted for separating fastener attached materials and fasteners from a surface comprising:

a head assembly having a plurality of substantially wedge shaped cross sectional profile blade members, the plurality of blades, each said blade has said front leading edge, said rear trailing edge, a top, a bottom, and two opposing sides, said front leading edge and rear trailing edge defining a blade longitudinal axis, each said blade having a narrow side-to-side width in relation to front-to-rear and a pointed front leading edge, the head assembly having a front leading edge, a rear, trailing edge, a top, a bottom and opposite sides, the sides having a profile of the blade top having a forward section from the blade leading edge to a longitudinal designated location and a rearward section from the designated location to the blade rear trailing edge, said front and rear defining a head assembly longitudinal axis, said head assembly trailing edge being adapted to attach to a mount, said head assembly being comprised of,
a plurality of identical, blade members having a leading edge adapted to being inserted underneath an exposed edge of a panel to be removed, each said blade having a front leading edge rising in vertical height to a rear trailing edge, each blade member having a variable cross sectional thickness varying the gullet distance between the blade members, and;
a plurality of spacers interspaced between said blades wherein open elongated gullets are formed between each blade.

26. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

each of the blades comprises a at least one opening therein, such that the a retaining member can be passed through the hole fixedly attaching a plurality of blades together.

27. A demolition tool of claim 26 wherein;

each spacer has a front, rear, top, bottom, and two opposing parallel sides, each spacer having a narrow side-to-side width, each spacer having a plurality of openings formed therein such that the openings align with the openings within the blades wherein the spacers and blade openings are coincident, mounting hardware can be passed through the openings within the blades and spacers such that the plurality of blades and spacers are fixedly attached together.

28. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

an elongated handle is adapted to fit with the attachment member rear section fixedly attaching the mount member to the head assembly.

29. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

the leading edge having a point, a first top surface, a second top surface and a bottom surface, the first and second surface angle from the point back to the top of the blade, the bottom surface angles upward from the bottom surface to the point.

30. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

each of the blades comprises a curvilinear bottom.

31. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

each of the blades is replaceable.

32. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

the blade forward section includes a curvilinear raising side profile from the, pointed leading edge to the longitudinal designated point.

33. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

said attachment member adapted to provide attachment such that the head assembly is adapted to mount to a machine.

34. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

the blade members leading edge is pointed.

35. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

each of the blades comprises a plurality of attachment points therein, such that a plurality of blade members can be fixedly attached together.

36. A demolition tool of claim 35, wherein;

attachment points include openings in the blade such that a bolt can pass through the opening thereby affixing a plurality of blade members together.

37. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

the blade member having a variable cross sectional thickness having comprised of a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, the first side surface edge starting along the bottom angling outward from the blades centerline meeting the second surface, the second surface then angling inward toward the blade centerline meeting the top surface, the third side surface edge starting along the bottom angling outward from the blades centerline meeting the fourth surface, the fourth surface then angling inward toward the blade centerline meeting the top surface.

38. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein;

the assembly head includes a mount attachment member, said attachment member adapted to provide attachment means for a handle.

39. A demolition tool of claim 25, wherein

the blade members are removable.

40. A method of using a self guiding demolition tool having a plurality of substantially pointed wedge shaped blade members adapted for separating fastener attached material and fasteners from a surface comprising the steps of:

positioning the wedge shaped blade members of the tool on a surface,
inserting the wedge shaped blade members underneath an exposed edge of the panel to me removed, the panel being fastened in place with at least fasteners, pushing the wedge shaped blade members of the tool along the surface wedging the wedge shaped blade members under the exposed edge of the panel, the plurality of pointed wedge shaped blade members having a predetermined flexing characteristic wherein pushing the wedge shaped blade members contacting a fastener resulting in a flexing of the blade member wherein the flexing of the blade member encouraging the fastener shank to guide the tool such the forward motion of the tool is not stopped, the fastener moving between the blade members into a space between the blade members working its way up the tool blade member thereby prying up the fastener, and; prying up the panel.
Patent History
Publication number: 20060191378
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 26, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 31, 2006
Inventor: Herbert Linscott (Hingham, MA)
Application Number: 11/412,203
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 81/45.000
International Classification: E04D 15/00 (20060101);