Automated Roofing Material Removal Machine and Method

Abstract

A roofing material removal machine and method for removing roofing materials on a roof surface wherein cutting hammers carried by the machine are operated to lift the roofing materials and a cutter bar operates to sever the roofing materials after which the removed materials are conveyed to a collection receptacle. A remote control device may be used to control power to and movement of the machine.

1 . A roofing material removal machine for removing roofing materials from a roof surface, the machine comprising:
 a power source; and   a cutting assembly including a cutting bar and a plurality of cutting hammers mounted to a rotary drive shaft that is driven by the power source, wherein the cutting hammers and the cutting bar operate to lift and sever the roofing materials.   
   
   
       2 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 1 , wherein each cutting hammer includes a base portion adjustable mounted to the rotary drive shaft, an arm, and an outer head. 
   
   
       3 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 2 , wherein the base portion, the arm, and the outer head of each cutting hammer are integrally formed. 
   
   
       4 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting hammers are mounted at different angular positions relative to the rotary drive shaft so that the weight of the cutting hammers is generally equally distributed about the drive shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least two spaced sets of cutting hammers cooperatively engage and lift the roofing materials at the same time. 
   
   
       6 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 5 , wherein the at least two spaced sets of cutting hammers force the lifted roofing materials against the cutter bar. 
   
   
       7 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 6 , further including a debris collector and wherein cut pieces of roofing materials are thrown toward the debris collector by the cutting assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting assembly is vertically adjustable so that the cutting hammers penetrate a predetermined amount into the roofing materials. 
   
   
       9 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting bar is vertically adjustable. 
   
   
       10 . A roofing material removal machine for removing roofing materials from a roof surface, the machine comprising:
 a power source; and   a cutting assembly including a cutting bar and a plurality of cutting hammers mounted to a rotary drive shaft that is driven by the power source, wherein each cutting hammer includes a base portion adjustable mounted to the rotary drive shaft, an arm, and an outer head, and each of the outer heads is convexly configured from a beveled leading edge such that the rotating hammers do not cut into the roof surface, and wherein the cutting hammers and the cutting bar operate to lift and sever the roofing materials.   
   
   
       11 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , wherein the base portion, the arm, and the outer head of each cutting hammer are integrally formed. 
   
   
       12 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting hammers are mounted at different angular positions relative to the rotary drive shaft so that the weight of the cutting hammers is generally equally distributed about the drive shaft. 
   
   
       13 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , wherein at least two spaced sets of cutting hammers cooperatively engage and lift the roofing materials at the same time. 
   
   
       14 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two spaced sets of cutting hammers force the lifted roofing materials against the cutter bar. 
   
   
       15 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , further including a debris collector and wherein cut pieces of roofing materials are thrown toward the debris collector by the cutting assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting assembly is vertically adjustable so that the cutting hammers penetrate a predetermined amount into the roofing materials. 
   
   
       17 . The roofing material removal machine of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting bar is vertically adjustable. 
   
   
       18 . A method of removing shingles and other roofing materials from a surface of a roof using a powered machine wherein the machine includes a cutter assembly with a cutting bar and a plurality of cutting hammers that are disposed around a rotary drive shaft, wherein the cutter assembly is powered by at least one power source mounted on the machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 A. placing the machine on a surface of a roof;   B. providing a remote control device for controlling the at least one power source; and   C. using the remote control device to turn on the power source to rotate the rotary drive shaft such that the cutting hammers lift the roofing materials from the surface of the roof and force the roofing materials against the cutting bar to cut the roofing materials into smaller pieces.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of moving the machine along guide rails using the power source. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of continuously conveying the roofing materials lifted and cut by the cutting hammers and the cutting bar to a remote collection receptacle as the machine travels along the guide rails.