System and method for removing roof material

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing roof material includes providing a saw that is adapted for use in cutting roof material into sections of roof material and removing the sections of roof material from the roof. A set of generally flexible tines may be provided with a carriage to guide the tines along the roof. The tines are propelled toward and away from the roof in order to loosen the roof material.

1 . A method of removing roof material, comprising: 
 providing a saw and sawing the roof material with said saw into sections of roof material; and    removing the sections of roof material from the roof.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said saw comprises a circular saw.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said saw includes a handle for use by a standing user.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a set of tines for lifting the sections of roof material from the roof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said tines are flexible.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  including shredding the sections of roof material removed from the roof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  including removing roofing nails from the shredded roof material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  including providing at least one magnet and using said at least one magnet to remove said roofing nails.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  including rotating said at least one magnet past a scrapper to dislodge roofing nails.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  including discharging shredded roof material from the roof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  including providing a blower and using said blower to discharge the shredded roof material from the roof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  used to remove asphalt shingles.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  including providing a guard for said saw and a cleanout opening in said guard for providing access to the saw.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  including adjusting a depth of cut of said saw.  
     
     
         15 . A roof material removal apparatus, comprising: 
 a saw, said saw adapted for use in cutting roof material into sections of roof material.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  including a handle to allow a standing user to cut roof material into sections of roof material.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  including an adjustment device to allow adjustment of depth of cut of said saw.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  including a guard for said saw and a cleanout opening in said guard to allow access to the saw.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said saw comprises a circular saw.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said circular saw is diamond tipped.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said saw comprises a blade coated with an anti-stick material.  
     
     
         22 . A roof material removal apparatus, comprising: 
 a set of generally flexible tines and a carriage to guide said tines along a roof; and    said tines propelled toward and away from the roof.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said carriage includes a plurality of support wheels and wherein at least one of said support wheels has non-round segments in order to propel said tines toward and away from the roof as said at least one of said support wheels rotates.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  including a prime mover for propelling said plurality of support wheels.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said tines are generally curved away from the roof.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20  including a shredder for shredding roof material removed with said tines.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  including a conveyor for conveying roof material to said shredder.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  including at least one magnet for removing nails from the shredded roof material.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26  including a discharge for discharging shredded roof material from said shredder.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said discharge is pneumatic assisted gravity discharge.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 26  including a hopper for receiving shredded roof material from said shredder.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein said hopper is lined with an anti-stick coating.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 22  including a saw, said saw adapted for use in cutting roof material into sections of roof material.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  including a handle to allow a standing user to cut roof material into sections of roof material.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said saw is mounted for movement with said carriage.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33  including an adjustment device to allow adjustment of depth of cut of said saw.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33  including a guard for said saw and a cleanout opening in said guard to allow access to the saw.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said saw comprises a circular saw.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said saw is diamond tipped.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said saw comprises a blade coated with an anti-stick material.