U.S. patent application number 14/113489 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for tiles, roof and building structure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chi Kin Lin. Invention is credited to Chi Kin Lin.
Application Number | 20140050892 14/113489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47071655 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140050892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Chi Kin |
February 20, 2014 |
TILES, ROOF AND BUILDING STRUCTURE
Abstract
Tiles comprising a mating surface and a roofing surface, wherein
the roofing surface is elevated above the mating surface and is
shaped to guide or direct a liquid to flow from an upstream first
end to a downstream second end under the influence of gravity when
the mating surface rests on a leveled surface, and wherein the
mating surface comprises a mating or coupling means which is
adapted to make complementary mating or coupling engagement with a
support member or a support surface having a complementary mating
or coupling means.
Inventors: |
Lin; Chi Kin; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lin; Chi Kin |
Hong Kong |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
47071655 |
Appl. No.: |
14/113489 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
April 26, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB12/52079 |
371 Date: |
October 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/156 ;
428/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 2001/3473 20130101;
E04D 2001/3447 20130101; E04D 1/02 20130101; E04D 2001/345
20130101; E04D 1/30 20130101; E04D 2001/3429 20130101; E04D
2001/3455 20130101; E04D 1/34 20130101; E04D 2001/3438 20130101;
Y10T 428/24628 20150115; Y10T 428/24479 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/156 ;
428/174 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/30 20060101
E04D001/30; E04D 1/02 20060101 E04D001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2011 |
HK |
11104140.8 |
Claims
1. A tile comprising a mating surface and a roofing surface,
wherein the roofing surface is elevated above the mating surface
and is shaped to guide or direct a liquid to flow from an upstream
first end to a downstream second end under the influence of gravity
when the mating surface rests on a leveled surface, and wherein the
mating surface comprises a mating or coupling means which is
adapted to make complementary mating or coupling engagement with a
support member or a support surface having a complementary mating
or coupling means.
2. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the first end and the
second end of the roofing surface are at different elevation levels
relative to the leveled surface and collectively define a draining
slope on the roofing surface when the mating surface rests on the
leveled surface.
3. A tile according to claim 2, wherein the mating or coupling
means on the support member or the support surface comprises a
coupling or engagement surface on which there is formed a plurality
of coupling or engagement members, the plurality of coupling or
engagement members being distributed in a regular matrix having a
uniform spacing along first and second orthogonal axes; and wherein
the mating or coupling means on the mating surface of the tile
comprises a plurality of coupling or engagement members which is
adapted to enter into complementary mating engagement with the
plurality of coupling or engagement members on the support member
or the support surface.
4. A tile according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of coupling
or engagement members on the mating surface of the tile is
distributed in a matrix, the matrix having a uniform spacing along
first and second orthogonal axes, the uniform spacing being the
same as that on the matrix on the coupling or engagement surface of
the support member or the support surface.
5. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the roofing surface is
elevated above the mating surface by an elevation means, the
elevation means defining the elevation of the first end and the
elevation of the second end when the mating surface makes mating or
coupling engagement with the support member or the support
surface.
6. A tile according to claim 5, wherein the mating or coupling
means on the mating surface is an integral part of the elevation
means.
7. A tile according to claim 6, wherein the elevation means
comprises a plurality of elevation members which extends downwardly
from the roofing surface, and wherein the mating or coupling means
of the tile is defined collectively by the free ends of the
plurality of elevation members.
8. A tile according to claim 7, wherein each elevation member of
the tile comprises a supporting column, the supporting columns of
the tile collectively defining the elevation means and each
supporting column defining an axial bore which is adapted for
making individual mated engagement or coupling with a coupling or
engagement member on the support member or support surface.
9. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the downstream second end
of the roofing surface overhangs or projects beyond the mating
surface of the tile.
10. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the roofing surface
comprises first and second lateral sides which interconnect the
upstream first and downstream second ends of the roofing surface,
the lateral sides overhanging or projecting beyond the mating
surface of the tile.
11. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the first and second
lateral sides of the roofing surface are adapted to overlap with
lateral sides of adjacent tiles when the tiles are mounted on the
support member or the support surface to form a roof.
12. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the roofing surface is
either a liquid repelling surface or a liquid collection surface,
the liquid repelling surface being adapted to direct a liquid
collected by the roofing surface to be dispersed towards the
lateral sides of the roofing surface when flowing from the upstream
first end to the downstream second end, and the liquid collection
surface being adapted to direct a liquid collected by the roofing
surface to be concentrated in a portion of the roofing surface
intermediate the first and second lateral sides of the roofing
surface when flowing from the upstream first end to the downstream
second end.
13. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the roofing surface has a
uniformly arcuate profile between the upstream first and the
downstream second ends.
14. A tile according to claim 13, wherein the roofing surface is
either convexly or concavely curved along an axis of symmetry, the
axis of symmetry extending between the upstream first and the
downstream second ends and is intermediate the first and second
lateral sides of the roofing surface.
15. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the roofing surface
comprises an upstream first end, a downstream second end and a
downstream third end, the upstream first end being intermediate the
downstream second and third ends; wherein the upstream first end is
a liquid dividing ridge adapted to divide liquid falling on the
roofing surface to flow either towards the downstream second end or
the downstream third end.
16. A tile according to claim 15, wherein the upstream first end
extends across the lateral sides of the roofing surface.
17. A set of tiles comprising a first type of tiles each having a
liquid collection surface and a second type of tiles each having a
liquid repelling surface, wherein each type of tiles is a tile
comprising a mating surface and a roofing surface, wherein the
roofing surface is elevated above the mating surface and is shaped
to guide or direct a liquid to flow from an upstream first end to a
downstream second end under the influence of gravity when the
mating surface rests on a leveled surface, and wherein the mating
surface comprises a mating or coupling means which is adapted to
make complementary mating or coupling engagement with a support
member or a support surface having a complementary mating or
coupling means, and wherein the first and second types of tiles are
such that lateral sides of adjacent tiles of different types will
overlap with a lateral side portion of a tile of the first type
immediately underneath an overlapping lateral side portion of a
tile the second type when mounted on a support member or a support
surface, and wherein the overlapping side portions are
complementarily curved such that liquid repelled by a tile of the
second type will be collected by a tile of the first type when
mounted on a support member or a support surface.
18. (canceled)
19. A roof comprising a plurality of tiles according to claim 1,
assembled on a support member or a support surface, wherein the
tiles are assembled to form a corrugated roof comprising a
plurality of alternately disposed liquid repelling ridges and
liquid collecting channels, and wherein each liquid repelling ridge
is assembled from a plurality of tiles each having a liquid
repelling surface, and each liquid collecting channel is assembled
from a plurality of tiles each having a liquid collection
surface.
20. (canceled)
21. A roof according to claim 19, wherein a tile of the first type
or a tile of the second type in the roof is overhung by three
adjacent tiles while overhanging another three adjacent tiles.
22. A building structure comprising a roof constructed from a
plurality of tiles according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to roof tiles, and more
particularly to modular roof tiles having a mating surface for
mated insertion onto the support surface of a structure for rapid
assembly. The present invention also relates to roofs and building
structures comprising roof tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Roofs are present in many building structures to shield
against adverse weathering such as rain, heat and snow or hail.
Conventional roofs typically comprise a sloped roof surface arrange
to drain rain water and the sloped surface is typically elevated
above a support surface to provide thermal insulation. Such typical
roofs have been disclosed in US patent numbers U.S. Pat. No.
5,660,004 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,092.
[0003] A typical roof is constructed from an ensemble of roof
panels or roof tiles. Exemplary roof panels and roof tiles are
disclosed for example in US patent numbers U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,432,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,905 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,922. For example,
the roofing system of U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,905 is adapted to be
supported on a support surface, and the system comprises a
plurality of panels arranged in partially overlapping relation to
form a roof. Each of the panels has first and second side edges, an
upper and lower surface providing a series of barrels and pans, a
first side region defining a portion of a barrel and a first
cylindrical mating surface, and a second-side region defining a
portion of a pan and a second cylindrical mating surface, wherein
the panels are arranged in overlapping relation so that the first
and second mating surfaces are sealing engaged.
[0004] The roofing system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,432 comprises an
interlocking roof tile formed as a single integral member having at
least two tile elements lying in different planes so that a step is
formed between them. The tile elements are offset from each other
both along a row direction and transverse to a row direction so
that one tile element will lie in a row above and laterally offset
from each other.
[0005] The roofing system of U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,922 discloses an
extruded concrete interlocking roof tile having upper and under
surfaces, upper and lower edges, two opposite side edges, with the
upper surface having a recess extending transversely between two
opposite edges adjacent the upper edge for receiving a lower edge
region of an adjacent tile in an overlapping relationship, and in
that an integral spacer acts between the recess floor and the
under-surface of the adjacent tile.
[0006] Roof tiles of known roofing systems are typically laid and
fastened on a roofing frame having a predefined inclination and the
roof tiles are also arranged such that adjacent roof tiles are also
interlocked. While such roof tiles have been used for a long time,
it is appreciated that improvements are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] There is provided a tile comprising a mating surface and a
roofing surface, wherein the roofing surface is elevated above the
mating surface and is shaped to guide or direct a liquid to flow
from an upstream first end to a downstream second end under the
influence of gravity when the mating surface rests on a leveled
surface, and wherein the mating surface comprises a mating or
coupling means which is adapted to make complementary mating or
coupling engagement with a support member or a support surface
having a complementary mating or coupling means.
[0008] In an example, the first end and the second end of the
roofing surface are at different elevation levels relative to the
leveled surface and collectively define a draining slope on the
roofing surface when the mating surface rests on the leveled
surface.
[0009] The mating or coupling means on the support member or the
support surface may comprise a coupling or engagement surface on
which there is formed a plurality of coupling or engagement
members, the plurality of coupling or engagement members being
distributed in a regular matrix having a uniform spacing along
first and second orthogonal axes; and wherein the mating or
coupling means on the mating surface of the tile comprises a
plurality of coupling or engagement members which is adapted to
enter into complementary mating engagement with the plurality of
coupling or engagement members on the support member or the support
surface.
[0010] The plurality of coupling or engagement members on the
mating surface of the tile may be distributed in a matrix. Usually,
the matrix has a uniform spacing along first and second orthogonal
axes. The uniform spacing is typically the same as that on the
matrix on the coupling or engagement surface of the support member
or the support surface.
[0011] In general, the roofing surface is elevated above the mating
surface by an elevation means, the elevation means defining the
elevation of the first end and the elevation of the second end when
the mating surface makes mating or coupling engagement with the
support member or the support surface.
[0012] To promote structural integrity as well as reliability, the
mating or coupling means on the mating surface may be an integral
part of the elevation means.
[0013] As an example, the elevation means may comprise a plurality
of elevation members which extends downwardly from the roofing
surface, and wherein the mating or coupling means of the tile is
defined collectively by the free ends of the plurality of elevation
members.
[0014] Each elevation member of the tile may comprise a supporting
column. The supporting columns of the tile may collectively define
the elevation means and each supporting column defining an axial
bore which is adapted for making individual mated engagement or
coupling with a coupling or engagement member on the support member
or support surface.
[0015] The downstream second end of the roofing surface may
overhangs or project beyond the mating surface of the tile.
[0016] The roofing surface typically comprises first and second
lateral sides which interconnect the upstream first and downstream
second ends of the roofing surface, the lateral sides overhanging
or projecting beyond the mating surface of the tile.
[0017] The first and second lateral sides of the roofing surface
may be adapted to overlap with lateral sides of adjacent tiles when
the tiles are mounted on the support member or the support surface
to form a roof.
[0018] In general, the roofing surface may either be a liquid
repelling surface or a liquid collection surface, the liquid
repelling surface being adapted to direct a liquid collected by the
roofing surface to be dispersed towards the lateral sides of the
roofing surface when flowing from the upstream first end to the
downstream second end, and the liquid collection surface being
adapted to direct a liquid collected by the roofing surface to be
concentrated in a portion of the roofing surface intermediate the
first and second lateral sides of the roofing surface when flowing
from the upstream first end to the downstream second end.
[0019] The roofing surface may have a uniformly arcuate profile
between the upstream first and the downstream second ends.
[0020] The roofing surface may be either convexly or concavely
curved along an axis of symmetry, the axis of symmetry extending
between the upstream first and the downstream second ends and is
intermediate the first and second lateral sides of the roofing
surface.
[0021] The roofing surface typically comprises an upstream first
end, a downstream second end and a downstream third end, the
upstream first end being intermediate the downstream second and
third ends; wherein the upstream first end is a liquid dividing
ridge adapted to divide liquid falling on the roofing surface to
flow either towards the downstream second end or the downstream
third end.
[0022] The upstream first end may extend orthogonally across the
lateral sides of the roofing surface.
[0023] The upstream first end may be about midway between the
downstream second and third ends.
[0024] The roofing surface and the mating surface may be integrally
moulded as a single piece.
[0025] The roofing surface and the mating surface may be moulded of
hard plastics.
[0026] There is also provided set of tiles comprising a first type
of tiles each having a liquid collection surface and a second type
of tiles each having a liquid repelling surface. The first and
second types of tiles are such that lateral sides of adjacent tiles
of different types will overlap with a lateral side portion of a
tile of the first type immediately underneath an overlapping
lateral side portion of a tile the second type when mounted on a
support member or a support surface.
[0027] The overlapping side portions may be complementarily curved
such that liquid repelled by a tile of the second type will be
collected by a tile of the first type when mounted on a support
member or a support surface.
[0028] A roof may comprise a plurality of tiles described herein
and assembled on a support member or a support surface, wherein the
tiles are assembled to form a corrugated roof comprising a
plurality of alternately disposed liquid repelling ridges and
liquid collecting channels.
[0029] Each liquid repelling ridge may be assembled from a
plurality of tiles each having a liquid repelling surface, and each
liquid collecting channel is assembled from a plurality of tiles
each having a liquid collection surface.
[0030] In the example, a tile of the first type or a tile of the
second type in the roof is overhung by three adjacent tiles while
overhanging another three adjacent tiles.
[0031] As shown in the examples, there is described a building
structure comprising a roof constructed from a plurality of tiles
disclosed herein.
[0032] The roof may be supported on a base structure. The base
structure may comprise a mating surface for making mating
engagement with the mating surfaces on the roofing tiles.
[0033] The base structure may be constructed from a plurality of
building blocks each having an upper mating surface, the upper
mating surface comprising a plurality of upper mating protrusions
arranged in a matrix or an array, the matrix or array having
uniform spacing along first and second orthogonal axes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below
by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings
or figures, in which:--
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a model building
structure comprising roof tiles according to several embodiments of
the present invention,
[0036] FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively front and side views if the
model building structure of FIG. 1,
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the model building structure
of FIG. 1 with two of the roof tiles removed to expose part of the
building roof support base,
[0038] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the model building structure
of FIG. 1 with all roof tiles removed to expose the building roof
support base,
[0039] FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are respectively top plan, bottom
plan, side elevation top perspective and bottom perspective of a
first exemplary embodiment of a roof tile of the present
invention,
[0040] FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are respectively top plan, bottom
plan, side elevation top perspective and bottom perspective of a
second exemplary embodiment of a roof tile of the present
invention,
[0041] FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are respectively top plan, bottom
plan, side elevation top perspective and bottom perspective of a
third exemplary embodiment of a roof tile of the present invention,
and
[0042] FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are respectively top plan, bottom
plan, side elevation top perspective and bottom perspective of a
fourth exemplary embodiment of a roof tile of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a dog house.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The model building structure 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B
depicts an exemplary embodiment of a building structure comprising
a building roof structure assembled from a plurality of roof tiles.
The model building structure 10 comprises a building roof structure
30 which is supported on a building roof support base 20. The
building roof support base 20 is assembled from a plurality of
modular building blocks. The modular building blocks are arranged
such that building roof support base 20 has a stepped descending
profile of gradually descending from the middle highest portion
towards both sides.
[0045] Each of the building roof support building blocks 22 forming
the building roof support base 20 includes an upper mating surface
on which there is formed a plurality of building upper mating
protrusions 24 and a lower mating surface for making mating
engagements with building blocks underneath. The building upper
mating protrusions are arranged into an array or matrix, for
example, an array or matrix of 2.times.4 cylindrical protrusions
with uniform spacing such that the longitudinal and transversal
separation between adjacent protrusions is constant or uniform. The
building roof support base 20 structure is formed by stacking of
modular building blocks into a tapered support surface. To form
such a tapered support structure, it is only necessary to gradually
reduce the number of building blocks when built towards the top
portion of the structure.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2A, the building upper mating protrusions
which are exposed on the top surface of the base structure are
evenly distributed on the top surface with a uniform longitudinal
and transverse spacing identical to that of an individual building
block.
[0047] The roof shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B is constructed from 4
embodiments of roof tiles according to the present invention. Each
of the roof tiles comprises a roofing surface and a slope defining
mating surface.
[0048] In a first embodiment of roof tiles as depicted in FIGS.
3-3D, the roof tile 100 is moduled of hard plastics and comprises a
roofing surface 110 and a mating surface 120. The mating surface is
underneath the roofing surface and includes an elevation mechanism
to support and elevate the roofing surface so that the roofing
surface is at a predetermined slope when the mating surface rests
on a leveled support surface.
[0049] The roofing surface of the roof tile of FIG. 3 is configured
as a water repelling surface and includes a downstream end 114 and
an upstream end 112, the upstream end being elevated above the
downstream end. The water repelling surface comprises a convexly
curved surface which extends between the upstream and downstream
ends with a constant or substantially constant curvature. The
curvature of the convexly curved surface is symmetrical or
substantially symmetrical about an axis of symmetry which extends
between the upstream and downstream ends and passes through the
middle of the water repelling surface. The axis of symmetry at the
middle of the water repelling surface also defines a water dividing
line on the convexly curved surface such that when water drops on
one lateral side of the axis of the water dividing line, the water
will flow towards that a lateral extremity on that lateral side and
vice versa.
[0050] The mating surface 120 comprises a matrix of 2.times.2
tubular elements 130 as an example of plurality of downwardly
extending mating elements which are formed on the underside of the
water repelling surface. The tubular elements are distributed at
nodes of a regular grid formed from an intersection of orthogonal
axes such that the spacing between adjacent tubular elements on a
same axis is the same. As shown in the side and elevation views of
FIG. 3B, the length of the tubular elements at the downstream end
is shorter than that at the upstream end while tubular elements at
the same axial distance from the upstream or downstream ends are of
the same length. This arrangement of the tubular elements defines
the slope of the roofing surface as well as providing distributed
support to the roofing surface. Where there are more than two
tubular elements distributed along the long of an axis, the heights
of the tubular elements between the downstream and upstream ends
(or along the direction of axis of symmetry) are gradually changed
to define the slope and to provide distributed support.
[0051] In addition to defining the slope of the roofing surface and
providing distributed support to the roofing surface, each tubular
element is also a mechanical mating element adapted for making
mating connection with a complementarily shaped mating element
formed on the building roof support base 20. More particularly,
each tubular element is adapted to fit on a vertically extending
protrusion form the building roof support base, and the fitted
engagement between the tubular elements and the complementary
protrusions collectively form a detachable mating engagement. As
shown in FIG. 3A, the periphery of the roofing surface 110
overhangs the ensemble of the mating elements to provide extra or
overlapping water shading surface to be explained. In other words,
the footprint of the roofing surface 110 exceeds the footprint of
the ensemble of mating elements.
[0052] The roof tile 200 depicted in FIGS. 4-4D illustrates a
second embodiment of a roof tile according to the present
invention. The roof tile 200 is substantially identical to the roof
tile 100 except that the roofing surface is configured as a water
collecting surface. Features or parts of the roof tile 100 which
are common or equivalent to features of parts of the roof tile 200
are incorporated herein where appropriate and are identified with
the same numerals but increased by 100.
[0053] Similar to the roof tile 100 of FIGS. 3-3D, the roof tile is
integrally mould of hard plastics and includes a roofing surface
210 and a mating surface 220. The mating surface 220 comprises a
plurality of downwardly extending tubular elements 230 which are
formed on the underside of the water collecting surface. The
tubular elements are distributed at nodes of a regular grid formed
from an intersection of orthogonal axes such that the spacing
between adjacent tubular elements on a same axis is the same.
Likewise, periphery of the roofing surface 210 overhangs the
ensemble of the mating elements 220 to provide extra or overlapping
water shading surface to be explained. In other words, the
footprint of the roofing surface 210 exceeds the footprint of the
ensemble of mating elements 220.
[0054] The roofing surface 210 of FIG. 4 is configured as a water
collecting surface and includes a downstream end 214 and an
upstream end 212, the upstream end being elevated above the
downstream end. The water collecting surface comprises a concavely
curved surface which extends between the upstream and downstream
ends with a constant or substantially constant curvature. The
curvature of the concavely curved surface is symmetrical or
substantially symmetrical about an axis of symmetry which extends
between the upstream and downstream ends and passes through the
middle of the water collecting surface. The axis of symmetry at the
middle of the water collecting surface also defines a water flow
line on the concavely curved surface such that water drops on the
roofing surface will be directed to flow towards that the water
flow line or the axis of symmetry during to the concaved curvature
towards the water flow line.
[0055] The roof tile 300 depicted in FIGS. 5-5D illustrates a third
embodiment of a roof tile according to the present invention. The
roof tile 300 is identical to roof tile 100 in that it includes a
roofing surface 310 and a mating surface 320 which supports and
defines the roofing surface. The roof tile 300 is different from
roof tile 100 in that the slope of the roofing surface inflects at
a water dividing ridge or a water dividing line located
intermediate two free ends of the roofing surface. This water
dividing ridge or water dividing line as an example of a water
divider 312 extends transversely across the roofing surface as. In
addition, the water divider also defines the highest roofing level
on the roofing surface 310 and is therefore the upstream end of the
roof tile 300. The two free ends of the roof tile 314 are on two
sides of the water divider and are below the level of the water
divider. As such, the two free ends both become downstream ends
relative to the water divider. The roofing surface 310 of the roof
tile 300 is also a convexly curved water repelling surface, and the
curvature is symmetrical about a line of symmetry which extends
between the two ends and intersects the middle of the water
divider. While the roofing surface 310 inflects at the water
divider, the curvature of the convexly curved water repelling
surface is substantially constant between the two free ends.
Likewise, periphery of the roofing surface 310 overhangs the
ensemble of the mating elements 320 to provide extra or overlapping
water shading surface to be explained. In other words, the
footprint of the roofing surface 310 exceeds the footprint of the
ensemble of mating elements 320. Features or parts of the roof tile
100 which are common or equivalent to features of parts of the roof
tile 300 are incorporated herein for succinctness where appropriate
and are identified with the same numerals but increased by 200.
[0056] The roof tile 400 depicted in FIGS. 6-6D illustrates a
fourth embodiment of a roof tile according to the present
invention. The roof tile 400 is identical to roof tile 100 in that
it includes a roofing surface 410 and a mating surface 420 which
supports and defines the roofing surface. The roof tile 400 is
different from roof tile 100 but similar to that of the roof tile
300 in that the slope of the roofing surface inflects at a water
dividing ridge or a water dividing line located intermediate two
free ends of the roofing surface. Similar to that of the roof tile
300, this water dividing ridge or water dividing line as an example
of a water divider 412 of the roof tile 400 extends transversely
across the roofing surface as. Likewise, periphery of the roofing
surface 410 overhangs the ensemble of the mating elements 420 to
provide extra or overlapping water shading surface to be explained.
In other words, the footprint of the roofing surface 410 exceeds
the footprint of the ensemble of mating elements 420. In addition,
the water divider also defines the highest roofing level on the
roofing surface 410 and is therefore the upstream end of the roof
tile 400. The two free ends of the roof tile 414 are on two sides
of the water divider and are below the level of the water divider.
As such, the two free ends both become downstream ends relative to
the water divider. Similar to the roof tile 200 and different to
that of roof tile 300, the roofing surface 410 of the roof tile 400
is a concavely curved water collection surface, and the curvature
is symmetrical about a line of symmetry which extends between the
two ends and intersects the middle of the water divider. While the
roofing surface 410 inflects at the water divider, the curvature of
the concavely curved water collection surface is substantially
constant between the two free ends. Features or parts of the roof
tile 100 which are common or equivalent to features of parts of the
roof tile 100, 200 and 300 are incorporated herein for succinctness
where appropriate and are identified with the same numerals but
increased by 300, 200 and 100 respectively.
[0057] Assembly of the model building structure depicted in FIGS.
1, 1A and 1B using the embodiments of the present invention will be
described below.
[0058] Firstly, a roof base support 20 comprising 4 stepped layers
and assembled from a plurality of modular building blocks as an
example of a roof support structure is shown in FIG. 2A. The roof
base support 20 is arranged such that the middle building block is
at the highest vertical level, while the vertical levels of support
layers 3, 2, 1 gradually decrease by the height of the building
blocks. The width of this exemplary roof base support is constant
and is equal to the width of a modular building block having an
upper mating surface which comprises a 2.times.4 matrix of building
upper mating protrusions 24. Each 2.times.2 matrix of building
upper mating protrusions is adapted for complementary mating with a
2.times.2 matrix of mating elements on the roof tiles 100-400, and
the 2.times.4 matrix of building upper mating protrusions 24 is
adapted for complementary mating with two roof tiles 100-400. The
periphery of the roofing surface of each of the roof tiles 100-400
is arranged such that when a roof tile is mated on a corresponding
matrix of the building upper mating protrusions on the building
roof support base, the roofing surface will project beyond
boundaries of the block defining the building upper mating
protrusions 24 and extend into the boundary of the next block or
next matrix of building upper mating protrusions 24. For example,
the roofing surface at projects beyond the width of the building
roof support building block 22. Where the roofing surface is at an
extremity of the building roof support building block 24, the
roofing surface will project beyond that extremity. Where the
roofing surface is at not an extremity of the building roof support
building block 24, the roofing surface will project into the
territory covered by an adjacent roofing surface. Therefore, in
general the roofing surfaces are arranged such that adjacent
roofing surfaces mutually overlap and/or in contiguous contact to
define an overlapped roofing portion for improved water
shielding.
[0059] Referring to an exemplary method of assembling a roof of
FIG. 1, a first roof tile 200 is firstly placed on a layer two roof
support block, and then a roof tile 100 is inserted adjacent to the
first roof tile. When the roof tiles 100 and 200 are so placed, the
peripheral roof surface of the roof tile 100 is immediately above
and overlaps with a corresponding adjacent peripheral roofing
surface of the roof tile 200. The relative heights of the
peripheral surfaces of the first and second type of roof tiles 100,
200 are adapted such that when they are inserted on a leveled
support surface having complementary mating arrangements, the
peripheral roof surface of the first roof tile will be immediately
above and in an overlapped interlocking relationship with a
corresponding peripheral roofing surface of the second roof tile,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. Likewise, the third and fourth types of
roof tiles 300, 400 are adapted to be laid on a water dividing
ridge of a structure and have the same or similar overlapping
relationship with adjacent roof tiles. The mutually lapping
relationship between adjacent roof tiles means better interlocking
of adjacent roof tiles as well as better water shielding as the
overhanging portions will help to dispose water from a roof tile
into an adjacent tile at a location further away from the periphery
or edge.
[0060] FIG. 7 depicts a dog house which comprises a roof structure
assembled from a plurality of roof tiles described above and
schematically described in FIGS. 3-3D, 4-4D, 5-5D and 6-6D. The dog
house comprises a house base 40 which is assembled from a plurality
of building blocks in mated interconnection. Each building block
comprises a main body having an upper mating surface and a lower
mating surface. The upper mating surface comprises a plurality of
upper mating protrusions, and the lower mating surface comprises a
same or corresponding plurality of lower mating protrusions. The
mating protrusions are arranged in a regular matrix or array. The
matrix or array is regular in the sense that there is a uniform
spacing between adjacent mating protrusion along first and second
orthogonal axes. The plurality of building blocks collectively
defines walls of the dog house and forms the house base 40. The
upper mating protrusions are distributed on the uppermost free ends
of the house bases and are exposed for mated interconnection with
the roof tiles in order that the roof structure can be assembled
onto the house base 40 by mated engagement of coupling.
[0061] As depicted in FIG. 7, the roof structure is corrugated and
comprises alternate rows of water collection channels and water
repelling ridges. Each water collection channel is constructed from
a plurality of roof tiles 200 having a water collection surface.
Each water repelling ridge is constructed from a plurality of roof
tiles 100 having a water repelling surfaces. The water collection
channels and water repelling ridges are assembled such that a
lateral side portion of a water collection channel is immediately
underneath a corresponding lateral side portion of a corresponding
water repelling ridge such that water repelled by the water
repelling ridge is collected by the water collection channel when
water flows from an upstream end of the water repelling ridge
towards the downstream end. With this arrangement, water collected
by the roof structure will be diverted to flow along the water
collection channels which are between the water repelling ridges.
To mitigate the risk of water seepage when collected water is
passed from the water repelling ridges to the water collection
channels, the roof tiles are assembled such that lateral portions
of adjacent roof tiles are overlapping so that there will be no gap
between adjacent water repelling ridges to the water collection
channels. In this regard, it will be noted that the lateral portion
of a roof tile projects beyond the foot print of its lower mating
surface. To further mitigate water seepage, the lateral portions of
adjacently disposed roof tiles are complementarily curved.
Furthermore, the lateral portions of the adjacently disposed roof
tiles may be contiguous to mitigate seepage due to splashing. The
projecting end or later portions of the roof tiles also facilitate
the formation of a balcony type overhanging at the extreme end of
the roof structure to provide an enhanced rain shield. The roof
structure also comprises a water dividing ridge formed by the roof
tiles 300, 400 having two downstream ends. The water dividing reach
defines a local top of the roof structure.
[0062] In the examples, it will be appreciated that the roofing
surface of a roof tile is elevated above the mating surface by an
elevation means. The elevation means shown in the examples are
circular columns each having an internal bore as coupling or
engagement means for making mated engagement with the building
blocks on the house base 40. The integration of coupling or
engagement means into the elevation means is advantageous both for
structural integrity, for reliability and for cost savings. While
the internal bore is used as an example of an engagement means, it
will be appreciated that the column itself or other mechanism can
be used as an engagement means. For example, where the coupling or
engagement means on the house base comprises of a grid, the
exterior of the column may be used as an engagement means to
interlock with the grid to facilitate mated coupling. Of course,
the column needs not to be circular, and can be oval, square or
polygonal without loss of generality.
[0063] While embodiment(s) of the present invention(s) has/have
been explained with reference to the examples above, the
embodiments are non-limiting examples for illustrating the present
invention(s) and should not be construed to limit the scope of the
invention. For example, while embodiments of the roof tiles have
been explained with reference to a plastic moulded piece, it will
be appreciated that the roof tiles could be formed from metal, such
as steel or aluminum, whether by casting or extrusion, or concrete.
Furthermore, while each of the third and fourth tiles comprises
either a convexly curved or a concavely curved roofing surface, it
will be appreciated that the roof surfaces at opposite sides of the
water divider could be of opposite curvature without loss of
generality. For example, one side of the roofing surface could be
concavely curved while the other side is convexly curved.
TABLE-US-00001 Table of Numerals 10 Building structure 20 Building
roof support base 22 Building roof support building block 24
Building upper mating protrusion 30 Building roof structure 40
House base 50 House roof 100 200 300 400 Roofing title 110 210 310
410 Roofing surface 120 220 320 420 Mating surface 130 230 330 430
Tubular elements 112 212 Upstream end 114 214 Downstream end 312
412 Water divider 314 414 Free ends
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