Standing seam vertical slitter

Abstract

The standing seam vertical slitter makes it possible for roofers to remove an installed steel roof by cutting the standing or vertical seams that hold the steel sheets together. The machine grips the seam and slices it with a minimum of damage to the steel sheets. It cuts the seams quickly and without leaving the kind of dangerous debris on the roof that results from cutting the seams with a plasma torch or a corundum wheel or a metal-cutting saw. The standing seam vertical slitter works faster than conventional methods of seam cutting, and it does so without using up expensive tools such as corundum wheels and saw blades.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The standing seam vertical slitter is designed to aid roofers in the removal of metal roofs that have been installed by attaching metal sheets with straight vertical seams. The standard way to remove such roofs is to cut the seams. Workers cut vertical seams with plasma torches, corundum wheels, or metal-cutting saw blades. Such work is time-consuming and hence expensive. It often damages the metal sheets, making them difficult to recycle. Such cutting is also dangerous. All three methods of cutting produce sparks, creating a fire hazard, and all leave debris that makes walking on the roof dangerous to the workers. Also such cutting uses expensive plasma, wears out costly corundum wheels, or uses up expensive metal-cutting blades.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The standing seam vertical slitter allows roofers to remove metal roofs by cutting the seams quickly, without sparks or leaving dangerous debris, without using up expensive tools, and without damaging the metal sheets. Cutting a ten-foot seam in the standard way takes about ten minutes. The standing seam vertical slitter can cut a ten-foot seam in nine seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: This is a parts list that names the component parts shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 2: This is an exploded view of the machine showing the basic structure from the carriage base to the transporting handles. FIG. 1 shows the way the working parts are assembled.

FIG. 3: This shows the carriage base with the component parts mounted upon it.

FIG. 4: This gives a more detailed view than found in FIG. 2 of the drive gear and the gear housings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To make the standing seam vertical slitter, start with a platform made from C-channel aluminum that measures 12″ by 16″ by ¼″. Mount three sets of rubber wheels on the two long sides. On the top of the platform mount a one-horse electric motor and an 18-1 ration gear reduction box in vertical position. Add an additional parallel shaft through a bearing block with two same-sized gears, one on the upper side of the gear reduction box and one on the upper side of the bearing block shaft, both attached to the platform. The two shafts must protrude through the aluminum frame. On the bottom of the shafts attach tool steel heat treated cutting disks. Offset these with one overlapping by 1/16 inch and the two touching where they overlap. This overlap serves as the cutting edge. The cutting disks are 4″ in diameter. They work together to slit the metal much like the workings of a can opener.

Place three sets of rubber guide wheels on the underside of the platform positioned parallel to the cutting disks. These wheels press against the standing seam and keep the cutting disks aligned on the seam as they make the cut. Mount four ½″ needle rollers 2″ long on the bottom of the frame and aligned with the cutting disks, two in front and two in back. These will ride on the high side of the seam to keep the machine on a constant cutting plane. Without the needle wheels, the machine can gouge into the metal sheets, doing excessive damage and making recycling of the metal difficult.

To use the standing seam vertical slitter, place the machine on the roof and attach an extension chord. Align the cutting disks with the end of a seam, and turn the machine on. It will pull itself up the roof, slitting the seam. When the standing seam vertical slitter completes the cut at the top of the roof, turn it off. Without turning it around, move it to the top end of the next seam, align the cutting disks again, and turn the machine on in reverse. As it cuts each seam, it also slits through heavy gauged clips inside the seams.

The standing seam vertical slitter is unique, for no other machine currently exists that will slit a standing seam on an installed metal roof.

Claims

1. A standing seam vertical slitter for removing installed metal roofs. The machine makes use of an electric motor and gearbox to drive two cutting disks. These wheels grip the standing seam and pull the machine along in the process of slitting the seam.

2. The placement of rubber guide wheels aligned with the cutting disks to ensure the cutting disks run straight on the standing seam.

3. The use of guide wheels mounted on the bottom of the standing seam vertical slitter's platform, both in front and in back of the cutting disks. These guide wheels grip the standing seam and keep the cutting disks from slicing below the standing seam and hence damaging the metal sheets.