U.S. patent application number 10/864825 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for shingle design and method of applying.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heiland Enterprises, Inc.. Invention is credited to Heiland, Michael Anthony.
Application Number | 20050115182 10/864825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34623251 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heiland, Michael Anthony |
June 2, 2005 |
Shingle design and method of applying
Abstract
Disclosed is a shingle configuration and method of deploying
shingles both of which provide improved durability and element
resistance. With respect to how the shingles are configured, they
are made shorter, thicker, less wide, and have a less dramatic
taper than do conventional shingles. Additionally, these shingles
are pressure treated with a chemical that provides a barrier making
them resistant to wood rot and other elemental maladies. The
shingles are then applied to the roof in such a manner that the
exposed surface of each individual shingle will be reduced.
Inventors: |
Heiland, Michael Anthony;
(Wichita, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON LLP
2555 GRAND BLVD
KANSAS CITY,
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
Heiland Enterprises, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34623251 |
Appl. No.: |
10/864825 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60525973 |
Dec 1, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/518 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/518 |
International
Class: |
E04D 001/00 |
Claims
1. A shingle for use on a roof, the shingle comprising: an upper
surface; an under side; a side surface; a butt end a thickness at
said butt end; a termination end; said termination end having a
thickness; a ratio of said butt end thickness versus said
termination end thickness, said ratio being adapted to improve
durability; a length; a width; an exposed portion; and a covered
portion wherein said covered portion is larger than said exposed
portion.
2. The shingle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ratio
minimizes environmental degradation.
3. The shingle according to claim 1 wherein including a protective
barrier.
4. The shingle according to claim 3 wherein said protective barrier
provides chemical protection.
5. The shingle according to claim 4 wherein said protective barrier
is chromated-copper-arsenate.
6. The shingle according to claim 1 wherein said ratio is about
7/2.
7. A method of deploying a method of putting shingles on a roof,
said method comprising: providing a plurality of shake shingles
each of said shingles having a butt end thickness and a termination
end thickness; configuring said shingles such that a ratio of but
end thickness to termination end thickness maximizes durability;
putting down a first row of shingles, each of said shingles in said
first row having upper surfaces; and superimposing a second row of
shingles above said first row covering portions of the upper
surfaces of said shingles in said first row and leaving an exposed
proportion of each of the shingles of the first row which is
smaller than said covered portions.
8. The method of claim 7, comprising applying a protective chemical
barrier.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said ratio is about 7/2.
10. A method of deploying shingles on a roof comprising: reducing a
length and a width of the shingles used; increasing the overall
shingle thickness; applying a protective chemical to at least one
exposed surface of the shingles; and installing the shingles on
said roof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/525,973.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to the field of roof shingle designs
and methods of applying shingles. More specifically, the present
invention relates to an improved configuration for a cedar shake
shingle, a chemical treatment of this shingle, and the installation
of a plurality of such shingles.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Cedar shake shingles have been used for roofing houses for a
long time. Shakes are a favorite choice among many homeowners, more
for ornamental reasons than for practical ones. Practically
speaking, shake shingles have many disadvantages.
[0007] One of these disadvantages is in terms of wind resistance.
The conventional cedar shake roof will have a difficult time
withstanding excessive winds. A typical prior art shingle which
would be used on a conventional shake roof is shown in prior art
FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the prior art shake 10 is
relatively thin. It has an upper surface 12, an exposed portion 14,
a covered portion 16, a termination and 18, a butt-end 20, an
underside 22 and side surfaces 24. The shingle is secured to the
conventional roof using 2 fasteners 28, which may be staples or
nails. The conventional nails or staples used for such a purpose
are typically constructed of electro or hot-dipped galvanized
steel.
[0008] As will be known to one skilled in the art, shingles are
laid in rows, one row over the other, this results in the exposed
14 and covered 16 portions. Portion 16 will be covered by the next
row of shingles up the roof, whereas portion 14 is exposed to the
elements. The exposed 14 and covered 16 portions are divided by a
transition line 26 which is formed by the butt-end 20 of the
shingle immediately above it.
[0009] The dimensions of the conventional shingle are typically as
follows. They typically have a length of 24", and a butt-end
thickness of {fraction (1/2)}". As maybe seen in FIG. 1, the
shingle is tapered towards a termination end 18 which is typically
around {fraction (1/8)}" thick. These dimensions make the ratio of
butt-end thickness (about {fraction (1/2)}"), versus termination
end thickness (about {fraction (1/8)}") about 4-1. The distance of
the transition line from termination end 18 is typically 10".
Because of the thinness of shingle 10 and its fastener positioning,
it is made somewhat vulnerable to excessive winds.
[0010] A second disadvantage in a shake roof is in hail resistance.
Impact testing of such roofs reveal that even moderate sized hail
can create significant damage to the roof's shakes. Similarly,
walking on the roof is often avoided because even careful stepping
on the roof may resulting damage to the shakes. One of the reasons
for this vulnerability of the conventional shake is that its
exposure area is very great relative to its overall thickness. It
is spread out too thin, in other words.
[0011] A third disadvantage present in the prior art shake roof is
that its shakes tend, over time, to prematurely curl upwards away
from the roof. This makes the overall appearance of the roof
somewhat unsightly.
[0012] A fourth disadvantage in the conventional shake roof is that
it may degrade. This degradation may take the form of dry rot,
algae, insect problems, or combinations thereof. These forms of
degradation are the result of exposure to the elements, such as
rain. The exposed surfaces of the shingles are typically the most
affected. This is because they are bare and thus, not barred off
from environmental factors.
[0013] Because of these four disadvantages, there is a need in the
art for a shake, and method of applying that shake, which (i)
results in wind and impact resistance, (ii) has better insulation
properties, and (iii) forms a barrier between the cedar and the
environment to prevent dry rot, algae and insect problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention overcomes these disadvantages in the
conventional shake roof by providing a shingle that is thicker with
a less dramatic taper, thinner, has a minimized exposure area
relative to thickness, and is chemically treated to form a barrier
between the cedar and the environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of the conventional cedar shake used
in the prior art methods.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art shake.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the wood shake of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wood shake of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing, from a side view, the way in
which the shingles of the present invention may be disposed on a
roof.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows, from a perspective view, how the shingles in
the present invention are laid on the roof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The shingle design of the present invention are shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. The manner in which these shingles are laid on a
roof are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0023] Referring first to FIG. 3, the shingle of the present
invention 30 has an upper surface 32. Upper surface 32 is divided
into two portions. The first of these is an exposed portion 34
which will be exposed to the elements. When shingle 30 is nailed on
the roof as part of a first row of shingles, a second row of
shingles will be laid above it (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). The
part of upper surface 32 that is not covered by the shingles of the
second row creates exposed portion 34. Accordingly, covered portion
36 is the portion of upper surface 32 which is covered by the
shingle in the row immediately above it. These two portions 34 and
36 are divided by a transition line 36. Referring to FIG. 6,
transition line 36 exists where the butt-end 60 of the shingle in
the row above ends, thus exposing portion 34 of shingle 30.
[0024] Shingle 30 is configured as follows. From butt-end 40 it may
be seen in FIG. 3 that the shingle is tapered until it reaches a
termination and 38. The preferred shingle thickness at butt-end 40
is about {fraction (7/8)}", however, the thickness could fall any
where within the {fraction (1/2)}" to 1" range--and might even be
thicker--and still fall within the parameters of the present
invention. The preferred thickness at termination end 38 is
approximately {fraction (1/4)}". These preferred dimensions make
the ratio of butt-end thickness ({fraction (7/8)}"), versus
termination end thickness, ({fraction (1/4)}"), about 7-2.
Comparing this ratio to that of the conventional shingle shown in
FIG. 1, which was 4-1, reveals that the shingle of the present
invention has a taper that is less extreme, ensuring more
longitudinally consistent durability.
[0025] Another difference present in shingle 30 from that of
shingle 10 is in its overall length. It will be recalled the length
of conventional shingle 10 is about 24". The approximately 18"
shingle of the present invention 30 is significantly shorter.
[0026] These differences in taper and thicknesses may be easily
observed by comparing the profile of conventional shake's
side-surface 24 in FIG. 1 with the side surface 44 of the shake of
the present invention shown in FIG. 3. The FIG. 3 profile formed by
underside 42, butt-end 40, upper surface 32, and tapered end 38, is
much different that that defined by underside 22, butt-end 20,
upper surface 12 and tapered end 18 of the conventional shake.
[0027] The method of fastening shake 30 to the roof is done using
fasteners 48. Fasteners 48 may be electro-galvanized staples or
nails. Alternatively, they could be constructed of stainless steel
to make them more weather resistant. The fasteners 48 are driven
through shake 30 at points approximately one inch up from the
transition line 46 and approximately one inch in from the sides 44
of the shake on both sides.
[0028] It will now be described the manner in which the shingle is
to be chemically treated. The chemical used in applicant's process
if known as chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA). CCA is widely used to
preserve wooden things. It has most often conventionally been used
to preserve wooden articles that are produced from soft woods. Some
examples of soft woods might be lodge pole white, jack and red
pines. Because pine tends to rot, the CCA is applied in these
conventional methods to provide a barrier between the environment
and the wood. It has typically been applied to the article on which
it is being deposited under pressure. This is so that it penetrates
well below the surface of the wood. The chromium component in the
CCA bonds with the cellulose in the wood and undergoes a valence
change from the hexavalent to the trivalent state. Once this change
in states has occurred, the CCA, over a relatively short period of
time, under pressure, will not leach out of the wood over the
course of time.
[0029] The methods of the present invention involve using this CCA
method which has already been well-established in the art in terms
of being used on pines, to treat cedar for use on shake roofs.
Though a different recipient (cedar) is used for the CCA, the
process for administering the CCA is the same. It is administered
to the shakes, and allowed to impregnate the wood (under pressure)
over time. These methods of administering the CCA will be known to
those skilled in the art. The only significant difference from that
which is conventional is that the CCA is being used to treat shakes
instead of the types of wood, and types of products described as
conventional above.
[0030] Once the cedar shingles for use in the present invention
methods have been appropriately CCA treated, they will be ready for
installation on a roof.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows how the shingles are installed from a side
view. In the figure, it may be seen that in upper shingle 50, is
disposed on top of shingle 30. Also seeing in this figure is that
the butt-end 60 of shingle 50 is what defines the transition line
between exposed surface 34 and covered surface 36 on shingle 30. In
FIG. 4, it may also be seen that transition line 46 along with the
edges of the shingle define an exposed surface (34) which is much
smaller than the exposed surface 14 of the conventional shake.
[0032] This different in exposure area is significant when coupled
with the concept that shake 30 is significantly thicker and less
tapered than is conventional. This aspect of the present invention
provides numerous advantages. For one, the shingle will be held
more tightly to the roof. This is because the shingle in the row
immediately above it 50 is thicker, and thus more steady, and has
more weight. This helps secure shingle 30 (referring to FIG. 5)
better because the bottom of shingle 50 is pressing down harder.
This greatly improves the wind resistance and other durability
aspects of the shingle 30. The wind resistance will also be
improved by the aerodynamics of shingle 30. When conventional
shingles become slightly loosed, as will occur over time, they are
more easily blown off because of their thinness. There is also more
potential lift area that makes the shingle vulnerable to wind that
might enter under and lift up on the shingle.
[0033] Another advantage created by minimizing the exposure area 34
of the shingle versus the shingles thickness is that there is less
surface per shingle that is exposed to the elements. This will
minimize environmental degradation.
[0034] Also advantageous in shingle 30 over conventional shingle
10, which is thinner, wider, and longer, is that the shingle of the
present invention is more durable to hail and to workers stepping
on it. Like a pencil is more easily broken than a baseball bat, so
is prior art shingle 10 more easily broken than present invention
shingle 30. Because of the more uniform thickness of shingle 30
along its length. These factors in combination with the more
gradual taper of shingle 30, make it much more durable than the
conventional shingle.
[0035] A further advantage in the shingle of the present invention
is due to the application of CCA. The application of this CCA in
combination with the durability improvements caused by the present
invention shingles configurations make it even more durable and
weather resistant. This is because of the barrier the chemical
creates. The combination of all these factors in combination
provide a shingled roof which is capable of withstanding winds
exceeding 130 mph. Additionally, it may be walked on without the
fear of causing significant damage to the shingles. Users will also
be added the benefit of improved insulation. The shingles will keep
the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. A roof
constructed of the methods of the present invention will also be
able to withstand extreme temperatures and freeze-thaw conditions
found in various climates. Insect, dry rot and algae problems will
also be greatly reduced.
[0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that substitutions may be made and equivalents
employed herein without departing from the scope of the invention
as recited in the claims.
* * * * *