Automobile windshield and backglass removal tool

Claim 1

A tool for cutting an adhesive sealant of the type used for sealing automobile windshields and backglasses comprising first and second elongated electrically conducting metal shanks, each of said first and second shanks having a first end portion at one end and a second end portion at the other end, first and second non-electrically conducting handles, the said first handle having an elongated recess formed therein for receiving the first end portion of the said first shank, the said second handle having an elongated recess formed therein for receiving the first end portion of the said second shank, the said first end portions of the first and second shanks being secured respectively in the elongated recesses formed in the first and second handles whereby the said second end portions extend outwardly therefrom, an electrically resistive metallic cutting wire, means carried by each of the said second end portions of the first and second shanks for retaining the cutting wire, the means for retaining the cutting wire including first and second openings in each of the said second end portions of the said first and second shanks, the first openings extending through the shanks in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and being of a size to receive the ends of the cutting wire, the second openings extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shanks and approximately 90* to the first openings and intersecting the first openings, the ends of the cutting wire being positioned in the first openings, each of the second openiNgs being threaded to receive a set screw, and a set screw in each of the second openings in threaded engagement with the threads thereof and tightened whereby the ends of the set screws tightly engage the ends of the cutting wire and thereby retain the ends of the cutting wire securely in place, the cutting wire having an electrical resistance whereby it is heated to an elevated cutting temperature upon passing electric current therethrough, first and second electrical leads having first and second end portions, the first and second electrical leads passing through the said first and second handles respectively whereby they are retained in proper positions thereby, the first end portions of said first and second electrical leads being electrically connected respectively to the first and second shanks at points remote from said first and second handles whereby electric current does not pass through said first end portions of the first and second shanks, means carried by each of the second end portions of the first and second electrical leads for electrically connecting the same to a source of electrical power, and a voltage reducing resistance means in the electric circuit formed by said first and second electrical leads, second end portions of the first and second shanks and cutting wire for varying the amount of electric current flowing through the said cutting wire when the tool is in use.