U.S. patent application number 11/876863 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for plastic roof shingle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Duron Plastics Limited. Invention is credited to Gary P. CLUTHE.
Application Number | 20090100779 11/876863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562052 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLUTHE; Gary P. |
April 23, 2009 |
PLASTIC ROOF SHINGLE
Abstract
The roof shingle is made of plastic and has a generally planar
nailing portion and a generally planar exposable portion extending
generally coplanarly from the nailing portion. An imaginary first
axis defines the nailing portion from the exposable portion. The
shingle has a fold area extending generally centrally through the
nailing portion and the exposable portion along a second axis
generally at a right angle to the first axis. For the ridge line of
the roof, the shingle may be folded along the fold area to produce
a V-shape for installation along the ridge line, without having to
cut the shingle or use a different design.
Inventors: |
CLUTHE; Gary P.; (Waterloo,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP;Anne Kinsman
WORLD EXCHANGE PLAZA, 100 QUEEN STREET SUITE 1100
OTTAWA
ON
K1P 1J9
CA
|
Assignee: |
Duron Plastics Limited
Waterloo
CA
|
Family ID: |
40562052 |
Appl. No.: |
11/876863 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/543 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/20 20130101; E04D
1/30 20130101; E04D 2001/305 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/543 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/34 20060101
E04D001/34 |
Claims
1. A roof shingle, made of plastic and comprising: a generally
planar nailing portion; and a generally planar exposable portion
extending generally coplanarly from said nailing portion, defined
from said nailing portion by an imaginary first axis extending
across said shingle; wherein said shingle has a fold area extending
generally centrally through said nailing portion and said exposable
portion along a second axis generally at a right angle to said
first axis.
2. A roof shingle as in claim 1, wherein said fold area is defined
by a least one rib on an underside of said shingle extending along
said second axis, with no ribs running across said second axis in
said fold area.
3. A roof shingle as in claim 1, wherein said fold area is defined
by a plurality of generally parallel ribs on an underside of said
shingle extending along said second axis, with no ribs running
across said second axis in said fold area.
4. A roof shingle as in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of
said shingle has ribs across an underside thereof, not extending
into said fold area.
5. A roof shingle as in claim 2, wherein a substantial portion of
said shingle has ribs across an underside thereof, not extending
into said fold area.
6. A roof shingle as in claim 3, wherein a substantial portion of
said shingle has ribs across an underside thereof, not extending
into said fold area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to roof shingles, and in particular
to roof shingles made of plastic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved
plastic roof shingle.
[0003] More particularly, it is an object of the preferred
embodiment to provide a plastic roof shingle which can also be used
easily for the ridge line of a roof.
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof shingle
is made of plastic and has a generally planar nailing portion and a
generally planar exposable portion extending generally coplanarly
from the nailing portion. An imaginary first axis defines the
nailing portion from the exposable portion. The shingle has a fold
area extending generally centrally through the nailing portion and
the exposable portion along a second axis generally at a right
angle to the first axis.
[0005] For the main surface of a roof, the installation is
conventional, with the nailing portion of the shingles nailed to
sheathing in rows starting from the bottom edge of the roof,
working up the roof with the exposable portion of the shingles of
one row exposed, and the nailing portion of those shingles covered
by the exposable portion of the next row. For the ridge line of the
roof, the shingle may be folded along the fold area to produce a
V-shape for installation along the ridge line, with part of the
folded shingle extending along one side of the ridge line and part
extending along the other side of the ridge line. Successive
shingles along the roof line overlap each other as on the main
surface of the roof.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the fold area is defined by a
least one rib on the underside of the shingle extending along the
second axis, with no ribs running across the second axis in the
fold area.
[0007] As one example of an alternative, the fold area is defined
by a plurality of generally parallel ribs on an underside of the
shingle extending along the second axis, again with no ribs running
across the second axis in the fold area.
[0008] Preferably, a substantial portion of the shingle has ribs
across an underside thereof, preferably in several directions, but
not extending into the fold area.
[0009] Further details of the invention will be described or will
become apparent in the course of the following detailed description
and drawings of specific embodiments of the invention, as
examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper surface of an
exemplary shingle according to the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the shingle
of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-section showing the shingle folded for
installation on the ridge line of a roof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0015] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3.
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a roof shingle 1, made of plastic. More
particularly, in the preferred embodiment, the shingle is made from
polyvinylchloride (PVC), for example. However, it should be clearly
understood that any other suitable plastic could be used, such as
possibly polypropylene, polyethylene, and recycled plastic, among
others.
[0017] The shingle has a generally planar nailing portion 2 and a
generally planar exposable portion 3 extending generally coplanarly
from the nailing portion. An imaginary first axis 4 defines the
nailing portion from the exposable portion. The shingle has a fold
area 5 extending generally centrally through the nailing portion
and the exposable portion along a second axis 6 generally at a
right angle to the first axis. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, in
addition to conventional installation on the main area of the roof,
the shingle may be folded along the fold area 5 to produce an
angled shape for installation along a ridge line 20 of a roof, with
part of the folded shingle extending along one side of the ridge
line and part extending along the other side of the ridge line, as
explained previously. It is the unique configuration of the
invention which facilitates folding, so that a single shingle
design can be used for the entire roof, including ridge line,
without having to cut the shingles or use a different shingle for
the ridge line. Among other advantages, this has a significant
advantage for manufacturing that only one mold is necessary. This
is especially advantageous if a custom color is desired, since
separate runs are not necessary for two separate parts, and thus
custom colors can be produced at a lower overall cost. For the
purchasing contractor or owner, the invention is advantageous in
that only one type of shingle need be purchased.
[0018] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the fold area is
defined by a least one fold-defining rib 7 on the underside of the
shingle extending therealong and no ribs running thereacross.
Preferably, there are several such fold-defining ribs 7, generally
parallel to each other. As seen in FIG. 3, when the shingle is
folded, the ribs on the underside of the shingle approach each
other or may come into contact with each other. Preferably, a
substantial portion of the shingle has reinforcement ribs or shapes
8 across an underside thereof, preferably in several directions,
but not extending into the fold area.
[0019] The ribs 8 also provide support to the central area which
preferably is thinned out somewhat relative to the rest of the
shingle, to further facilitate folding. This prevents sagging of
the center portion (fold area) of the shingle, which otherwise
could result, especially in extreme heat.
[0020] As with conventional shingles, the nailing portion of each
shingle is intended to be covered by another roof shingle mounted
adjacently thereabove on a roof, and the exposable portion is
intended to have at least a portion thereof not covered by another
roof shingle mounted adjacently thereabove.
[0021] To facilitate installation of the shingles, the preferred
embodiment may include alignment indicia or mechanical alignment or
spacing elements, and/or may include nail location indicators such
as indicia or mechanical features.
[0022] For example, preferred or suggested nail locations within
the nailing portion may be indicated, for example by a cylindrical
depression 30 to assist in positioning the nail, especially if
nailing by hand.
[0023] Similarly, the shingle may have suitable alignment lines 32
inscribed on the surface thereof, to indicate one or more various
alignment/overlap options.
[0024] Preferred and exemplary embodiments of this invention are
described herein. Variations of those embodiments may become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. It is expected that skilled persons will
employ such variations as appropriate, and it is expected that the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended
hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of
the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is
encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
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