Inventors:
Ralph Dann Hendrix - Severna Park MD
Stephen Colehouse - Crownsville MD
International Classification:
E04D 1500
Abstract:
A tool primarily for use in stripping asphalt and wood shingles from a roof consisting of a blade, a body, and a handle. The blade has a wide forward portion with front serrate edge, transverse bends for rigidity, and primary fulcrum. The novel and unique front edge is curved to accommodate sags in the underlying roof and to facilitate insertion under shingles. The body is attached firmly to the blade and contains an upper portion to receive an elongated handle and an undercarriage curved in the vertical longitudinal plane providing a variable mechanical force ratio as the operator uses the tool to remove the roof shingles by vertical travel of the handle. For shingle removal, the front edge of the blade is slid or pushed under shingles and the handle lowered toward the roof surface. The prying action of the blade uses the primary fulcrum to provide optimal mechanical advantage during the initial travel of the elongated handle to break the grip of roofing nails or staples encountered by the leading serrate edge and, as downward motion of the handle continues, smoothly transition to the innovative secondary, variable fulcrum to complete nail or staple removal.