Machine for removing and loading a flat roof

Abstract

A machine which greatly reduces the labor required for repairing flat roofs on commercial and industrial buildings. Formerly, old roofing material usually had to be removed manually from the roof deck before new material could be installed. Removal of this old material was the most labor intensive part of the job. The present labor-reducing machine not only scrapes off the old roofing from the roof deck but also loads any material so scraped into a cart for removal from the roof. The machine comprises a pair of drive wheels, a flat conveyor belt, and a chisel-like front member. To begin the removal process, the latter is first wedged between the old roofing material and the roof deck; and then the drive wheels are used to push the chisel-like front member, when it so wedged, forward. The flat belt conveyor is mounted in close proximity to the front member so that as the old roofing material is being dislodged, it is directed onto the belt. The conveyor belt then transports the old roofing material rearwardly and upwardly and drops it into a cart. To facilitate this operation, the roofing is preferably scored, prior to removal, in about three foot square sections, so that the roofing material tends to break into chunks more easily as it ascends the conveyor. Wheels for propelling the machine itself are independently driven and used for steering, providing it with a very short turning radius. Coupled with direct steering linkage are controls for reversing direction, making this machine highly maneuverable on the job.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.