BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture and repair of windows, the removal of glass from the sash has long been a tedious and time-consuming task. Cutting through the bedding material in order to remove the glass, particularly with manufactured window units that are fully glazed, is so time-consuming that, when a pane of glass is damaged in such constructions, it is often more economical to discard the entire manufactured window unit than to replace the glass. Accordingly, a continuing need exists for a tool for the efficient deglazing of window units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved hand tool that can be used to cut through the bedding material and permits the removal ofthe glass from glazed window units in a fraction of the time previously required.

Specifically, the instant invention provides a hand tool comprising:

(a) an angular handle having front and rear sections, the front and rear sections ofthe handle being joined at an angle of about from 95 to 125 degrees;

(b) a circular blade rotatably mounted on the front end of the handle, the blade being mounted substantially peφendicular to the axis ofthe front section ofthe handle, the center ofthe blade being recessed from the edges of the blade at least about 1/16 inch; and

(c) a hand guard for the rear section of the handle extending at least toward the interior of the angle formed by the front and rear sections of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF. DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand tool ofthe invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a hand tool of the invention.

Figure 3 is a top elevational view of a hand tool ofthe invention. Figure 4 is a fragmental side view of a hand tool ofthe invention. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a circular blade that can be used in the present invention. Figure 6 is an illustration ofthe tool in operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The hand tool of the present invention comprises three basic components, these being an angular handle, a circular blade and a hand guard. These are illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand tool ofthe invention. There, angular handle 1, has front section 2 and rear section 3, the front and rear sections of the handle being joined at an angle "a" which is about from 95 to 125 degrees. In general, angles outside of this range have been found to provide unsatisfactory performance, from the standpoint of mechanical efficiency, caulk removal or comfort to the user. The handle can be prepared from any suitable material. Aluminum rod stock has been found to be particularly convenient and satisfactory, for example, that having a diameter of about from 0.5 to 1 inches. As shown in the cross-sectional view illustrated in Figure 2, the handle can be narrowed, as by machining, to accommodate the installation of a grip 4. The grip can be made of a wide variety of materials. of which wood and molded thermoplastic resin have been found to be particularly satisfactory.

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Circular blade 5 is rotatably mounted on the front end of he handle, the blade being mounted substantially peφendicular to the axis ofthe front section ofthe handle. The means for mounting can vary widely, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. As shown here, the blade is attached to shaft 6, which is rotatably mounted in bearing 7. The bearing, in turn, is mounted within a recess formed in the front end of the handle, substantially parallel to the axis ofthe handle. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 5, the center 5A ofthe blade is recessed from the edges of the blade at least about 1/16 inch, to avoid scratching the glass on which the tool is used. The specific materials used for the circular blade are not critical to the present invention, and can be those normally used in blade manufacture, including, for example, ferrous alloys. Spring steel has been found to be particularly satisfactory, and is accordingly preferred.

The circumferential edge ofthe blade 5B is generally shaφened to an angle of less than about 20 degrees. The blade, in use. is largely self- shaφening, as the continual abrasion of the blade on the glass combined with the generally concave configuration of the blade, maintains a knife edge.

The handle is equipped with a hand guard 8, preferably in an arcuate configuration, for the rear section of the handle. The guard extends at least toward the interior ofthe angle formed by the front and rear sections ofthe handle. The guard protects the hand of the user from possible glass shards on the window surface. The guard can be conveniently made from a variety of sheet materials, of which high density polyethylenes, acrylics and polycarbonates have been found to be particularly satisfactory. The sheet material can be shaped at room temperature or elevated temperature, depending on the specific material used. The handle components are held together by appropriate fastening means 9.

The present invention can be used for the removal of a wide variety of caulks, glazing and bedding compounds, including, for example, silicone caulks, closed cell foam tape, urethanes. thermoplastics, and those made from butyl compounds. Figure 6 shows use of the tool on a window comprising frame 10, glass 11 and caulk 12. In operation, the circular blade is generally first used flat to cut along the edge of the caulk adjacent the glass, as illustrated in Figure 6, and then, if needed, inverted to make a second cut at an angle, after which the glass can be easily removed. In addition, the tool can be effectively used to remove perimeter caulking around window frames.