Apparatuses and methods for removing shingles

Abstract

Examples include apparatuses for removing covering or coating materials from a surface, for example, shingles from a roof. The apparatus may include a foot coupled to a frame that pivots about one or more pivot points when driven by an actuator. The actuator may be a pneumatic actuator in some examples.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame having a first end and a second end;   a foot pivotally coupled to a first end of the frame at a joint, wherein the foot comprises:
 a front portion comprising a plurality of tines; 
 a sloped portion extending from the front portion toward the second end of the frame; and 
 a bent portion between the front portion and the sloped portion, wherein the bent portion defines an angle between the front portion and the sloped portion; and 
   a fulcrum coupled to a lower surface of the foot, wherein the foot is configured to rotate about the fulcrum and the joint.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame and the foot, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the foot to rotate about the fulcrum and the joint when actuated. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator comprising a piston and a cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a connection box coupled to the second end of the frame; and   at least one tube coupled to the cylinder at a first end and the connection box at a second end, wherein the connection box is configured to couple the at least one tube to an air compressor coupled to the connection box.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a button proximate the second end of the frame, wherein the button is configured to actuate the actuator when depressed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a safety plate proximate to the button and having a width and a height greater than dimensions of the button. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the frame further comprises at least one plate located between the first end and the second end, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the at least one plate such that the actuator is spaced from a rest of the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wedge coupled to the lower surface of the foot, wherein the wedge is pivotally coupled to the frame and comprises the fulcrum. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sloped portion comprises a slot configured to allow the frame to pass through the foot to the wedge. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the wedge comprises two plates on opposite sides of the slot, the two plates extending from the lower surface of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the two plates each comprise a wing portion extending along and coupled to the lower surface of the foot. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame and the wedge, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the foot to rotate about the fulcrum and the joint when actuated. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the wedge comprises a first position and a second position spaced apart from the first position, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the first position or the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a first portion coupled to a second portion at a second angle less than 180 degrees, wherein the first portion is located at the first end and the second portion is located at the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise square tubes. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the square tubes comprise a metal. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fulcrum comprises a cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the second end of the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion further comprises a plurality of second tines located between individual ones of the plurality of tines.