Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to place a series of timing marks on a granule covered roofing sheet. A rotary pattern cutter cuts a pattern of tabs and cutouts in the continuous granule covered sheet. The rotary position of the pattern cutter and the position of the timing marks are sensed, and the position of the continuous granule covered sheet with respect to the rotary position of the pattern cutter is synchronized in response to the sensed position of the timing marks and the sensed rotary position of the pattern cutter.

Abstract: A granule covered roofing shingle has a lower, tab portion, an upper, headlap portion, a first end and a second end, the shingle being suitable for installing on roof decks end-to-end with similar shingles in overlapping longitudinal courses, the tab portion having tabs and cutouts. The shingle has a fractional tab at each end of the shingle, and one or more whole tabs positioned between the ends of the shingle. The whole tabs and fractional tabs include a layer of granules to form a color blend, wherein both the fractional tabs of the shingle have the same color blend. When the shingle is installed on a roof deck with other substantially identically shaped shingles in overlapping longitudinal courses, adjacent shingles in the same course of shingles have fractional tabs that adjoin each other and that are of the same generally uniform color blend so that the two adjoining fractional tabs have the appearance of a single tab.

Abstract: A laminated shingle simulates a tiled roof when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more substantially identically shaped tabs with a cutout between each tab. The lower edge of the tabs may have a curving or negative contour. The tabs may taper in width from the butt edge to the lower edge of the headlap portion. The upper edge of the cutouts may have a generally straight contour or a generally curved contour. The lower edge of the underlay member may have a generally straight contour or a portion of the lower edge may have a generally curving contour. The overlay member and/or underlay member may include a darker shading area to enhance the tile simulating aspect of the shingle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to place a series of timing marks on a granule covered roofing sheet. A rotary pattern cutter cuts a pattern of tabs and cutouts in the continuous granule covered sheet. The rotary position of the pattern cutter and the position of the timing marks are sensed, and the position of the continuous granule covered sheet with respect to the rotary position of the pattern cutter is synchronized in response to the sensed position of the timing marks and the sensed rotary position of the pattern cutter.