Shingle cutting knife blade

Abstract

A novel cutting device useful for cutting asphalt shingles and other roofing products features a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the top edge, and left and right edges; a lower cutting edge adjacent the left or right edge; an upper sharpened edge positioned above the lower cutting edge and adjacent the same edge as the lower cutting edge, wherein the upper sharpened edge and the lower cutting edge are configured for cutting; at least one inner edge emanating from the bottom edge and angled towards the top edge, wherein the inner edge is tangent to the upper sharpened edge; and at least on fin or nodule disposed between the lower cutting edge and the upper sharpened edge, wherein the bottom edge is parallel to and shorter than the top edge.

Claims

1. A blade comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the top edge, and left and right edges; a lower cutting edge adjacent said left or right edge; an upper sharpened edge positioned above said lower cutting edge and adjacent the same edge as said lower cutting edge; at least one inner edge emanating from said bottom edge and angled towards said top edge; and at least one fin disposed between said lower cutting edge and said upper sharpened edge, wherein said inner edge is tangent to said upper sharpened edge, wherein said lower cutting edge is configured for cutting, and wherein said bottom edge is parallel to and shorter than said top edge.

2. The blade of claim 1 wherein the upper sharpened edge forms a valley configured to capture an asphalt shingle positioned at an interface where the upper sharpened edge and the fin meet.

3. The blade of claim 1 wherein said blade is configured to be retained in a knife.

4. The blade of claim 1 further comprising a U-shaped aperture bounded by an imaginary line of the bottom edge and the lower cutting edge that extends between a terminal point of the lower cutting edge and the point at which the fin and the lower cutting edge meet, wherein the U-shaped aperture is configured to cut and is coplanar with said bottom edge.

5. The blade of claim 4 wherein said lower cutting edge terminates in the terminal point.

6. The blade of claim 5 wherein said U-shaped aperture comprises an open end bounded by said terminal point of said lower cutting edge and a bottom-most surface of said fin and a closed end and wherein said open end of said U-shaped aperture is angled towards a central portion of said blade.

7. The blade of claim 6 wherein said U-shaped aperture is parallel to said inner edge.

8. The blade of claim 6 wherein said U-shaped aperture is angled towards the central portion of said blade at an angle of 60 degrees, relative to said bottom edge.

9. The blade of claim 1 wherein said blade further comprises an additional upper sharpened edge, an additional lower cutting edge, an additional inner edge, and an additional fin.

10. The blade of claim 1 wherein said fin is sharpened and configured to cut.

11. The blade of claim 1 wherein said fin is blunt and configured to serve as a depth-stop by acting as a pivot against a surface to be cut, allowing for depth controlled cutting.

12. A knife comprising: a blade comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the top edge, and left and right edges; a lower cutting edge adjacent said left or right edge; an upper sharpened edge positioned above said lower cutting edge and adjacent the same edge as said lower cutting edge; at least one inner edge emanating from said bottom edge and angled towards said top edge; and at least one fin disposed between said lower cutting edge and said upper sharpened edge, wherein said inner edge is tangent to said upper sharpened edge, wherein said lower cutting edge is configured for cutting and terminates in a terminal point, wherein said bottom edge is parallel to and shorter than said top edge, and wherein at least said upper sharpened edge is arc-shaped.

13. The knife of claim 12 wherein the upper sharpened edge forms a valley configured to capture an asphalt shingle positioned at an interface where the upper sharpened edge and the fin meet.

14. The knife of claim 12 further comprising a U-shaped aperture bounded by an imaginary line of the bottom edge and the lower cutting edge that extends between the terminal point of the lower cutting edge and the point at which the fin and the lower cutting edge meet, wherein the U-shaped aperture is configured to cut and is coplanar with said bottom edge.

15. The knife of claim 14 wherein said U-shaped aperture comprises an open end bounded by said terminal point of said lower cutting edge and a bottom-most surface of said fin and a closed end and wherein said open end of said U-shaped aperture is angled towards a central portion of said blade.

16. The knife of claim 15 wherein said U-shaped aperture is parallel to said inner edge.

17. The knife of claim 15 wherein said fin is sharpened and configured to cut.

18. The knife of claim 15 wherein said fin is blunt and configured to serve as a depth-stop by acting as a pivot against a surface to be cut, allowing for depth controlled cutting.

19. The knife of claim 12 wherein said blade is removable from the knife and wherein said top edge of said blade further comprises two, centrally disposed, u-shaped apertures configured to allow the blade to be retained in the knife.

20. A blade comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the top edge, and left and right edges; a lower cutting edge adjacent said left or right edge; an upper sharpened edge positioned above said lower cutting edge and adjacent the same edge as said lower cutting edge; at least one inner edge emanating from said bottom edge and angled towards said top edge; and at least one fin disposed between said lower cutting edge and said upper sharpened edge, wherein said inner edge is tangent to said upper sharpened edge, wherein said lower cutting edge and said upper sharpened edge are configured for cutting, wherein said bottom edge is parallel to and shorter than said top edge, wherein at least said upper sharpened edge is arc-shaped, and wherein said upper sharpened edge, said lower cutting edge, and said fin form a continuous cutting edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a line drawing illustrating a prior art hook blade;

(2) FIG. 2 is a line drawing illustrating a hook blade with the addition of a nodule, which terminates in a point, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 3 is a line drawing illustrating hook blade with the addition of a nodule which becomes a lower cutting edge, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 4 is a line drawing illustrating hook blade with the addition of a nodule and curvature, which terminates in a point, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 5 is a line drawing illustrating hook blade with the addition of a nodule and curvature, which terminates in a point, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 6 is a line drawing illustrating hook blade with the addition of a nodule and curvature, which terminates in a point, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a line drawing illustrating hook blade with the addition of a nodule and curvature, which terminates in a point, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) As a preliminary matter, a nodule 306, as used herein, is a bump having a sharpened edge. In embodiments described herein, the nodule 306 protrudes from the sharpened edge of a hook blade and is configured to capture a relatively thin material between the sharpened edge thereof and the sharpened edge of the hook blade, allowing simultaneous cutting of both a top and bottom face thereof while limiting the depth of a given cut.

(9) A nodule and various embodiments of the same, decreases the draw force required when cutting a roofing shingle. Further curvature may be added to the nodule, further exposing a shingle's underside to a sharp cutting edge. A curl in embodiments of the blade also assists in cutting, by causing a shingle to roll itself around the curl (more so during temperature increases), driving the underside of the shingle into the additional cutting face created by the curvature in the blade. The underside of the shingle, as it rotates around the nodule and curvature, becomes the top side of the shingle. As such, the top of the shingle rolls, and the underside becomes further exposed to the cutting surface of the blade.

(10) Additionally, the angle at which the utility knife can be drawn, in embodiments, is adjusted by removing material from the flat angle 206 to more closely reflect the flat plane of the shingle or product being cut. Currently, a roofer must hold the knife upright due to the angle at which the flat angle 206 is manufactured. The modification of the flat angle increases the draw strength being applied directly to the shingle or product being cut.

(11) The cutting of rolled products in a depth controlled manner is made possible by the point 308 and its physical position relative to the nodule 306, as depicted in FIG. 2. These products for sloped roofing typically come in widths of 36″ to 60″. When commencing a cut on an underlayment while on the roof, it is often easier to start the cut in the field of the product due to maneuverability and reaching restrictions, hence the utility of a point 308. The same blade with the nodule 306 can be used to cut shingles without changing blades.

(12) The increase in popularity of laminate or dimensional shingles with more than two laminates makes the design of a robust “roofing” version of the blade desirable. The manufacturing of a blade from a 1″-1½″ wide material, as in various embodiments, allows the blade to accommodate a relatively thick shingles while providing for a larger nodule. In addition, a blade that is approximately ¼″-¾″ wider strengthens the weakest part of the utility blade, making it less prone to breaking off while being subject to lateral pressure while maintaining the blades position.

(13) Now referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 discloses a hook blade in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. From the base 303 of this hook blade, a straight line 301 extends diagonally, at an angle. This line 301 continues for a length and transitions to what is herein referred to as an upper sharpened edge 304, which in embodiments, comprises an arc with a radii incident on a midpoint thereof, if extended, that passes between an edge of base 303 and point 308, the upper sharpened edge 304 facing inwards, towards the base 303.

(14) The upper sharpened edge 304 of embodiments further comprises a nodule 306. Due to the shape and placement of the nodule 306 on the hook blade, a valley 305 is created between the upper sharpened hook blade edge and the nodule. The valley 305 where the upper sharpened edge and the nodule intersect is herein referred to as the shear point 305.

(15) More specifically, at the shear point 305 of embodiments, a nodule 306 extends outwards at an angle and continues, creating a bump. The nodule 306 of embodiments ends by connecting seamlessly with the lower cutting edge 307. The lower cutting edge 307 of embodiments continues in a slight crescent shape and terminates in a point 308. In embodiments, the point 308 terminates substantially on the imaginary line 302, which connects base 303 to points 308 of the hook blade.

(16) Now referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 discloses a hook blade with a an inner edge 301, relative to the imaginary line 302, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The base 303 of such embodiments transitions into an inner edge 301. The inner edge 301 of embodiments continues for approximately ⅜″ and becomes a sharpened edge 304, which smoothly transitions into a nodule 306, a sharpened outer portion of the nodule 306 protruding towards the imaginary line 302 and the inner edge 301, terminating in a flat lower cutting edge 307, with the surface of the lower cutting edge substantially coincident with the imaginary line 302.

(17) Now referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 discloses a hook blade with an inner edge 301, relative to the imaginary line 302, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As in previous embodiments, the base 303 of such embodiments transitions into an inner edge 301. The inner edge 301 continues for approximately ⅜″ and becomes a sharpened edge 304, which transitions to an arc 305. At a point along the arc 305, the arc 305 transitions into a nodule 306 that extends towards the imaginary line 302 and the inner edge 301, before transitioning into a lower cutting edge 307 that is incident on the original arc 305. The lower cutting edge 307 of embodiments ends in a point 408. The point 408 and the base 303 terminate substantially on the imaginary line 302.

(18) Now referring to FIGS. 5-7, FIGS. 5-7 disclose a hook blade with a fin 500, which, in embodiments, is sharpened along its edge, extending from the nodule 306 of embodiments. The fin, in embodiments, forms at least a portion of the lower cutting edge 307 and terminates in point 408. This fin serves, in embodiments, as a depth stop, allowing for depth-controlled cutting of roofing materials. In sharpened-fin 500 embodiments, the fin 500 precuts the material before being forced into the lower cutting edge 307 for finish-cutting.

(19) In embodiments, the lower cutting edge 307 formed by the fin 500 and point 408 is substantially U-shaped. In embodiments, the U-shaped lower cutting edge 307 is at least as wide as a typical, three-tab shingle, allowing the shingle edge to be inserted therein during cutting, facilitating the cutting process. In other embodiments, the U-shaped lower cutting edge 307 is wider, allowing wider materials, such as architectural shingles, to be inserted therein. In embodiments, the U-shaped lower cutting edge 307 formed by the fin 500 and point 408 is positioned such that the open portion of the “U” is angled towards the center of the hook blade. In embodiments, this angle is approximately 60 degrees, relative to imaginary line 302. In embodiments, this angle is substantially identical to an angle formed between the inner edge 301 and the imaginary line 302. This feature is especially helpful when cutting products that are in roll form, including tar paper, synthetic underlayment, and self-adhered products and cover materials, such as, TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen. Whereas the point 208 on a standard hook blade is prone to cutting the underlying rolled product, as there is no way to regulate the blade's depth with the product needing to be unrolled prior to cutting, the U-shaped lower cutting edge 307 formed by the fin 500 and point 408 of embodiments of the present invention allows for cutting of the topmost layer without damaging underlying layers.

(20) In embodiments, the nodule 306 takes on the various shapes depicted by the nodule 306/fin 500 combinations depicted in FIGS. 5-7 without the need for a separate fin 500.

(21) As in previous embodiments, the base 303 of such embodiments transitions into an inner edge 301. The inner edge 301 continues for approximately ⅜″, in embodiments, and becomes a sharpened edge 304, which transitions to an arc 305. At a point along the arc 305, the arc 305 transitions into a nodule 306 that extends towards the imaginary line 302 and the inner edge 301, before transitioning into a lower cutting edge 307 that is incident on the original arc 305. The lower cutting edge 307 of embodiments ends in a point 408. The point 408 and the base 303 terminate substantially on the imaginary line 302.

(22) In embodiments, the point along the arc 305 at which the arc 305 transitions into a nodule 306 forms an acute angle, which may assist in cutting certain materials, while, in other embodiments, the angle is a right angle or an obtuse angle, which would tend to be easier to machine.

(23) Now specifically regarding the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, this embodiment is characterized primarily by the fin 500 being substantially arc-shaped and terminating at imaginary line 302, which corresponds to base 303.

(24) Now specifically regarding the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment is characterized primarily by the fin 500 being substantially-oval-shaped, unsharpened, and having a rounded point that terminates above imaginary line 302.

(25) Now specifically regarding the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment is characterized primarily by the fin 500 being substantially-oval-shaped, sharpened, and having a rounded point that terminates above imaginary line 302.

(26) The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.