Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A device for removing a layer of asbestos or like material from a ceiling comprising, extensible hoist means including a lower frame and an upper frame, adapted for travel beneath a ceiling surface; hopper means mounted on the upper frame of the hoist means, said hopper means adapted to be raised by said hoist means in close proximity to said ceiling, and said hopper having an open top portion and an outlet orifice formed in a bottom portion thereof; cutting means at the open top of the hopper means adapted to engage and remove said asbestos layer or the like from said ceiling, wherein the cutting means includes a pair of spaced apart augers, each having helically wound cutting surfaces formed thereon and extending across the open top of the hopper means; and collection means mounted on said hoist means and communicating with the outlet orifice of the hopper means adapted to receive the removed asbestos or like material therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A device for removing a layer of asbestos or like material from a ceiling comprising, extensible hoist means including a lower frame and an upper frame, adapted for travel beneath a ceiling surface; hopper means mounted on the upper frame of the hoist means, said hopper means adapted to be raised by said hoist means in close proximity to said ceiling, and said hopper having an open top portion and an outlet orifice formed in a bottom portion thereof; cutting means at the open top of the hopper means adapted to engage and remove said asbestos layer or the like from said ceiling, wherein the cutting means includes a pair of spaced apart augers, each having helically wound cutting surfaces formed thereon and extending across the open top of the hopper means; and collection means mounted on said hoist means and communicating with the outlet orifice of the hopper means adapted to receive the removed asbestos or like material therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 including motorized drive means associated with the lower frame means for moving the hoist means along a floor surface beneath said ceiling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 2 including control means associated with said drive means for regulating the speed of said drive means whereby the rate of travel of said hoist means along said floor is controlled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 1 including spring means operably positioned between the upper frame and said hopper means to force said cutting means against the ceiling surface whereby said cutting means is adapted to remain in contact with said ceiling surface in the event a variation in ceiling height should occur.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 4 including a pair of guide wheels upwardly extending from the top of the hopper means and spaced from said cutting means adapted to rollably engage said ceiling and maintain a substantially parallel orientation between said ceiling surface and a plane defined by the open top of the hopper means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the said pair of augers are positioned such that a helix orientation of each auger is opposite from that of an adjacent auger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 6 including roller brush means mounted on the open top of said hopper spaced in a rearward direction from said augers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for removing a layer of asbestos or like material from a ceiling comprising: extensible hoist means including a lower frame portion having front and rear sets of wheels thereon adapted to travel on a floor beneath said ceiling, said hoist means further including an upper frame portion; drive means associated with the lower frame to motivate said hoist means on said floor; hopper means having an open top, tapering sidewalls and an outlet orifice formed in a bottom portion thereof, and means for mounting said hopper to the upper frame portion of the hoist means including spring means to exert an upward force on said hopper means, said hopper means adapted to be raised by said extensible hoist means to an operable position in close proximity to the ceiling; at least one auger cutter mounted across the open top of said hopper means, said auger cutter having a helically wound cutting surface extending above the open top of said hopper to engage the asbestos or like surface; a motor for turning said auger cutter; and collection means mounted on said lower frame including a conduit communicating with said hopper outlet orifice to receive removed asbestos therein.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for removing a layer of asbestos or like material from a ceiling comprising: extensible hoist means including a lower frame portion having front and rear sets of wheels thereon adapted to travel on a floor beneath said ceiling, said hoist means further including an upper frame portion; drive means associated with the lower frame to motivate said hoist means on said floor; hopper means having an open top, tapering sidewalls and an outlet orifice formed in a bottom portion thereof, and means for mounting said hopper to the upper frame portion of the hoist means including spring means to exert an upward force on said hopper means, said hopper means adapted to be raised by said extensible hoist means to an operable position in close proximity to the ceiling; at least one auger cutter mounted across the open top of said hopper means, said auger cutter having a helically wound cutting surface extending above the open top of said hopper to engage the asbestos or like surface; a motor for turning said auger cutter; and collection means mounted on said lower frame including a conduit communicating with said hopper outlet orifice to receive removed asbestos therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 8 which has two auger cutters of oppositely oriented helices and further includes roller brush means positioned on the open top of the hopper in a rearward position, spaced from said auger cutters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the collection means includes a removable collection drum, having a sealing lid and further includes a flexible conduit secured at a first end to said lid and at a second end to said hopper outlet orifice.