Asphalt shingle

Abstract

An asphalt roof shingle assembled into a roof covering, presenting repetitive and uniform, geometric patterns. The shingle has an upper headlap portion and a lower visual feature region. The visual feature region includes a first visual feature and first and second transition portions of a second visual feature. The transition portions may be either identical or different in size and configuration. In another embodiment, a plurality of alternating, identically sized and shaped visual features, such as teeth and cutout spaces, is arranged in lineal fashion along the visual feature region. Transition portions of teeth or cutout spaces are located on opposing lateral edges of the tooth portion. When adjacent shingles are installed on a roof structure in abutting relation, laterally adjacent transition portions form a full-size visual feature, such as a tooth or a cutout space. A backing shim may also be provided beneath and substantially co-extensive with the tooth portion, exposing a portion of the backing shim within each cutout space.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to improvements in roofing shingles. More specifically, the invention pertains to an asphalt shingle construction featuring both symmetrical and asymmetrical arrangements of visual features in the form of tooth-like tabs and cutout spaces. The tabs and cutout spaces are sized and configured so that when the shingles are assembled to form a roof covering, the covering has a unique visual appearance, comprised of a plurality of identically sized and shaped geometric features.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The roofing industry has manufactured shingles from asphalt-based material for many years. These shingles fall into three general categories: (1) single shape and piece type, usually configured into a geometric pattern, such as a rectangle or a diamond; (2) tab shingles, formed from a row of horizontally oriented rectangular tabs, aligned along the lower butt portion of a shingle, each tab being separated from an adjacent tab by a narrow vertical slot; and, (3) alternating tooth and backing shim laminated shingles, displaying random configuration and order, in the tooth and shim features.

[0005] For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,929, issued to Weaver et al., a laminated roof shingle is taught featuring colored tabs or teeth. Some of the tabs are identical in geometric configuration, but different in width. Other tabs are fragments of full size tabs. Spaces are provided between the tabs to reveal a backing shim, having a different color than the tabs. In this reference, varying the color of the components creates an illusion of depth or thickness to the shingle panel, and varying the size and configuration of the tabs is calculated to simulate a plurality of randomly sized wooden shingles within the panel. This reference is typical of the aforementioned alternating tooth and backing shim laminated shingle.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,243, issued to Corbin, et al. shows an asphalt shingle for simulating a tiled roof. In this reference, a plurality of substantially identically shaped tabs, with spaces therebetween, is arranged along a lower edge of the shingles. An underlay member, or shim, attached to the lower surface of the tabs, is revealed in the spaces between the tabs. The tabs have inwardly converging, straight side edges and a convex lower edge, to resemble an arcuate tile piece. The shingles are arranged on a roof so that the tabs and the spaces between the tabs in all rows are aligned vertically. This reference is generally of the tooth and shim category of shingles, but represents an attempt to simulate tile, rather than wooden shingles. This is done by making the tabs and the spaces respectively identical in shape and size and aligning them vertically from row to row.

[0007] However, the need exists for asphalt shingles which present dramatic and different visual patterns, not resembling either wooden shingles or tiled roof. Such patterns may vary from trapezoidal shapes to triangular shapes, and the shingles may be either single layer or laminated, depending upon the desired effect. By avoiding any attempt to simulate other roofing products, an overall look is achieved in the roof, which is both unique and aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Each of the various embodiments of the asphalt-based shingle of the present invention includes one or more tooth-like projections, or one or more cutout spaces, or combinations thereof, arranged in alternating, lineal fashion along a lower edge of the cover sheet of each shingle. The teeth and the adjacent cutout spaces are vertically inverted in orientation, with respect to each other. For example, if the tooth in a shingle is a downwardly pointing triangle, then an adjacent cutout space is an upwardly pointing triangle.

[0009] There are two basic configurations of the shingles, each having visual features in the form teeth and cutout spaces, present in various combinations. Distinctive appearances for the shingles are provided by each combination of these visual features. The first configuration includes at least one tooth in combination with first and second transition portions of cutout spaces, located on either side of the tooth. The second configuration includes at least one cutout space in combination with first and second transition portions of teeth, located on either side of the cutout space.

[0010] The transition portions of cutout spaces in the first embodiment, and the transition portions of teeth in the second embodiment, are located at respective, opposing, lateral edges of the shingles. The first and second transition portions may be either identical in size and configuration, or different in size and configuration. If the transition portions are identical in size and configuration, then the full-sized tooth or the full-sized cutout space between the transition portions will be centrally located. If the transition portions are different in size and configuration, then the full-sized tooth or the full-sized cutout space between the transition portions will be accordingly offset from center. But in either case, the respective transition portions are always complementary, so that when a first transition portion of one shingle is placed into contingent relation with a second transition portion of another shingle, either a full-sized cutout portion or a full-sized tooth is thereby formed. In that manner, a lineal array of alternating full-sized visual features is provided along a course of assembled shingles.

[0011] The number of teeth and the number of cutout spaces may vary according to the particular capabilities of the manufacturing facility, or the requirements of the consumer. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more teeth, and associated cutout spaces, may also be provided in a single shingle panel. If two or more teeth are present in a shingle, then a full sized cutout space will also be provided between each adjacent tooth, in addition to the cutout space transition portions at the opposing lateral edges. Similarly, if two or more cutout spaces are present in a shingle, then a full sized tooth will also be provided between each adjacent cutout space, in addition to the tooth transition portions at the opposing lateral edges.

[0012] The shapes of the teeth and the cutouts are preferably of a visually engaging geometric configuration, such as a trapezoid, a triangle, or another geometric figure. Not insignificantly, all of the full size teeth and all of the full size cutout spaces in a particular shingle are also identical in shape and size, with respect to each other. And, when the lateral edges of adjacent shingles are butted together, the first and second transition portions of either cutout spaces or teeth, form full sized cutout spaces or teeth which are also identically sized and shaped.

[0013] This characteristic feature not only affects the shingles' ability to mate with each other, but also provides the intended dramatic and distinctive visual effect displayed by an assembly of the shingles into a roof covering. This results in a repetitious, alternating pattern of cutout spaces and teeth, identically sized and configured, along a course or row of shingles.

[0014] When vertically adjacent courses are assembled, the cutout spaces and the teeth are preferably arranged in laterally offset relation, with respect to the cutout spaces and the teeth in the course or row immediately above or below. Consequently, the resultant pattern, along a vertical line extending up the shingle roof alternates between a tooth and a cutout space. An entire roof, assembled in such a fashion using shingles of the present invention, displays a strong and impressive visual pattern which resembles neither a wooden shingled roof nor a tiled roof

[0015] A backing shim may also be attached to the underside of each tooth, or portion of a tooth, resulting in a laminated shingle. The surface of the backing shim, which may be coated with texture material of a different size or color than that on the tooth, can be seen through each cutout space. However, the invention may be practiced without a backing shim, resulting in a lower cost roof covering which nevertheless provides its own distinctive appearance.

[0016] These and other features of the invention will now be described in further detail in the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment to follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a two-toothed shingle, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of two fragmentary courses using the shingle shown in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a shingle displaying two cutout spaces, and provided with a backing shim;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the shingle shown in FIG. 3;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of two fragmentary courses using the shingle shown in FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a shingle displaying two cutout spaces and provided with a backing shim, showing reverse angled trapezoidal designs for the teeth and the cutout spaces;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a four-toothed shingle provided with a backing shim;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially assembled roof covering, using the shingle shown in FIG. 7;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partially assembled roof covering, using the alternating tooth and backing shim laminated shingle of the prior art;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, showing a six triangular toothed shingle provided with a backing shim;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a plan view of two fragmentary courses using the shingle shown in FIG. 10;

[0028] FIG. 12A is a plan view of a single tooth, symmetrical shingle;

[0029] FIG. 12B is a plan view of a single cutout space, symmetrical shingle;

[0030] FIG. 12C is a plan view of a double-toothed, symmetrical shingle;

[0031] FIG. 13A is a plan view of a single tooth, asymmetrical shingle;

[0032] FIG. 13B is a plan view of a single cutout space, asymmetrical shingle; and,

[0033] FIG. 13C is a plan view of a double-toothed, asymmetrical shingle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 1, a double-toothed asphalt shingle 11, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, is shown. Shingle 11 includes an elongated cover piece 12, having an upper, headlap portion 13 and a lower, visual feature region 14. Headlap portion 13 further has an outwardly facing side 16 and an inwardly facing side 17.

[0035] Visual feature region 14 includes a first tooth 18 and a second tooth 19. This embodiment of the invention includes at least two such teeth, which are substantially identically sized and configured. It should be noted that shingle 11 can be longitudinally extended to include more than two teeth, depending upon the job requirements and the capabilities of the shingle manufacturing plant. Tooth 18 and tooth 19 are arranged in lineal relation, along the bottom half of cover piece 12, with an inner cutout space 21 between the adjacent teeth.

[0036] Teeth 18 and 19 are generally trapezoidal in configuration, having respective inner edges 22 and outer edges 23, which are downwardly and inwardly converging. As is evident in FIG. 1, inner cutout space 21 is also generally trapezoidal in configuration, but includes sides which are downwardly and outwardly diverging. Space 21 is substantially identical in size and configuration to teeth 18 and 19, but space 21 is vertically inverted in orientation from the adjacent teeth.

[0037] Outer half-size cutout spaces 24 and 26 adjoin either outer edge 23 of teeth 18 and 19. Each cutout space 24 and 26 is substantially half of the size of inner cutout 21, and each is the mirror image of the other. As a consequence, as shown in FIG. 1, both the left and the right hand sides of the cover piece 12 are symmetrical in appearance, about a median, transverse axis 27.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 2, a fragmentary assembly of a plurality of shingles 11 into a roof covering 28 is shown. For the sake of clarity, only the shingles themselves are shown in FIG. 2, although in a practical covering, the shingles would be applied over plywood or other structural underlayment. Also eliminated from this illustration is a “starter course”, extending along the bottom course or row of the shingles. Sometimes, a double layer of shingles is used for the starter course In this instance, a sheet roll of asphalt roofing material could be used underlying the bottom course of shingles.

[0039] In laying the first course of shingles 11, the shingles are arranged in longitudinal alignment, with laterally adjacent edges in abutting relation. The shingles are attached to the underlying roof structure by means of thermally activated adhesive, staples, or shingle nails. It will be appreciated that when the shingles are so arranged, half-sized cutout spaces 24 and 26 of adjacent shingles form a full-sized cutout space. This cutout space is identical in shape and size to the full-sized cutout space 21, located between adjacent teeth 18 and 19 in a single shingle. Thus, along the entire course, the visual features of a trapezoidal-shaped tooth and an identically size and configured cutout space of inverted orientation, repetitiously alternate.

[0040] In forming the second course or row of shingles 11, individual shingles are secured in identical fashion, with their visual feature regions 14 and a small segment of their headlap portions 13, lying over the entire upper headlap portion 13 of a shingle in the adjacent, lower course. However, it is significant to note that the second course is laid in laterally offset relation with respect to the first course of shingles. The offset is such that the axis of the tooth 19 in the second course is vertically aligned with an imaginary line between the half-sized cutout spaces 24 and 26. Put another way, tooth 19 in the second course overlies the conjunction between the adjacent upper headlap portions 13 in the first course of shingles. In so doing, the tooth 19 in the second course provides a seal over part of this conjunction, and provides an inverted mirror image of the design feature provided by the cutout space below. This visual pattern is repeated, but in reverse fashion, with the adjacent cutout space 21. It will be noted that cutout space 21 in the second course is vertically aligned with a tooth 19 in the first course. The combination of the two trapezoidal features forms a hexagonal visual feature, evident in FIG. 2. In subsequent courses of shingles, this assembly process is repeated until an entire roof covering of the desired vertical and horizontal extent is formed. Thus, shingles in the third courses are vertically aligned with corresponding shingles in the first course, and shingles in the fourth course are vertically aligned with corresponding shingles in the second course. Alternatively, each course may be progressively laterally offset, in stepped fashion, so that vertically adjacent visual features alternate, but the joint lines between shingles in the courses are never in vertical alignment.

[0041] The shingle 11, being a single sheet of asphalt material, is not laminated. Thus, the shingle is easily and cheaply manufactured, using a minimum amount of material. Yet the shingle 11, configured and assembled into a roof covering as discussed above, provides a three-dimensional effect and a powerful and esthetically pleasing visual pattern, with the repetitious and inverted features of the teeth and cutout spaces.

[0042] Another version of the invention is represented by the laminated shingle 29, shown in FIG. 3. Where appropriate, the same numerical designations as those employed above will be used to describe shingle 29, as well as additional shingle versions to be described hereafter. Shingle 29 may be termed a single tooth shingle, as it only has one, centrally positioned full-sized tooth 31. As will be noted, tooth 31 is also trapezoidal in configuration, closely resembling teeth 18 and 19 of the prior embodiment. Straddling either side of tooth 31 are identically sized and configured cutout spaces 32. The trapezoidal shapes defined by spaces 32 are vertically inverted in orientation, with respect to the tooth 31.

[0043] Outer half-size teeth 33 and 34 adjoin respective outer edges 36 of spaces 32. Each tooth 33 and 34 is substantially half of the size of full-sized tooth 31, and each is the mirror image of the other. Thus, as is evident from FIG. 3, both left and right hand sides of the cover piece 12 are symmetrical in appearance, about a median, transverse axis 27.

[0044] Making particular reference now to FIG. 4, a backing shim 37 is laminated to the inwardly facing side 17 of cover piece 12. Backing shim 37 is generally rectangular in configuration, and comprises a strip extending from one lateral edge of cover piece 12 to the other lateral edge. The upper extent of shim 37 is represented by a dashed line 40 in FIG. 3. And, the lower extent of shim 37 is co-extensive with a lower edge of cover piece 12. Owing to the presence of cutout spaces 32, an exposed portion 38 of shim 37 is evident when viewing the outwardly facing side of the shingle 29.

[0045] Shim 37 may be coated with a textured material to provide a visual contrast with cover piece 12. To provide further contrast, tooth 31 may be a first color and shim 37 may be a second color. A gray shaded stippling for exposed portion 38 is included in the drawings to represent the visual effect such coating or coloring may provide.

[0046] In FIG. 5, a roof coating 39 formed from the assembly of a plurality of shingles 29 is shown. The arrangement of shingles 29 in the first, lower course, is identical to that previously described. The shingles are mounted to a roof underlayment (not shown) in butting relation, with adjacent lateral edges touching. In the first course, a joint 41 is evident, where adjacent shingles meet. In a typical roof construction, a double course of shingles will be provided for this starter course, so a weather tight seal will be provided below the joint 41. Alternatively, a sheet of asphalt material may be provided below the first course.

[0047] As with the previously described embodiment, the assembly of the shingles as taught herein creates full-sized visual features from joining two half-sized visual features. With shingle 11, two half-sized cutout spaces 24 and 26 were joined to form a visual feature identical in shape and size to full-sized cutout space 21. Similarly, with shingle 29, two half-sized teeth 33 and 34 are joined to form a visual feature identical to full-sized tooth 31.

[0048] In forming the second course of shingles 29, the shingles are again laterally offset so that each cutout space 32 overlies either a tooth 31 or the tooth feature formed by joining half-sized teeth 33 and 34. Thus, the trapezoidal shaped feature of cutout space 32 is joined in vertical alignment with the trapezoidal shaped feature of the tooth 31 to create a hexagonal shaped visual feature.

[0049] Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIG. 6. Laminated shingle 42 differs from shingle 29, only in the orientation of certain visual features in the tooth portion 13. Shingle 42 is also a single tooth shingle, but trapezoidal shaped tooth 43 is reversed, top to bottom, from the orientation of tooth 31 in shingle 29. Also, cutout spaces 44 are reversed in identical fashion, from the orientation of cutout spaces 32 in shingle 29. Lastly, half-sized teeth 46 and 47 are vertically flipped in orientation, from corresponding teeth 33 and 34 in shingle 29. This also results in a top to bottom reversal of exposed portion 48. In all other respects, shingle 42 is assembled into courses and into a roof covering in identical fashion to that already described.

[0050] The shingles of the present invention may be extended in length, to reduce the amount of labor required to assemble a roof. Three, four, five, or more teeth can readily be included in a single shingle. For example, in FIG. 7, shingle 49 includes four narrow trapezoidal shaped teeth 51, separated by three narrow trapezoidal shaped, inner cutout spaces 52. Teeth 51 have more steeply inclined sidewalls than, for example, the tooth 32 in shingle 29. Cutout spaces 52 are identical in size and configuration to teeth 51, but are reversed top to bottom, in their vertical orientation. Exposed portions 53 reflect the more steeply inclined sidewalls of cutout spaces 52.

[0051] Outer half-size cutout spaces 54 and 56 extend respectively from outer edge 57 and outer edge 58 of the outermost teeth 51. Each cutout space 54 and 56 is substantially half of the size of an inner cutout space 52, and each is the mirror image of the other. Owing to the combination of these features, both the left and the right hand sides of the cover piece 12 in shingle 49 are symmetrical in appearance, about a median, transverse axis 27.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a partially assembled roof covering 59, using the shingles 49. A roof frame 61 is covered by plywood sheathing 62, to provide a support for the roof covering. The shingles 49 are assembled as described above, beginning with the “starter course”, and then installing successive courses in alternating, repetitive fashion, so that the teeth and the cutout spaces are vertically aligned in adjacent courses. The resultant pleasing pattern is evident from FIG. 8. This repetitive, geometric pattern is to be distinguished from the prior art roof covering 63, shown in FIG. 9. As with covering 59, the prior art asphalt roof shingles are installed over plywood sheathing 62, supported by a roof frame 61. But owing to the design configuration of the prior art shingles, the visual effect is to present a random pattern of shingles having variable widths. This conscious design effort is made to simulate the variable widths of wooden shingles and shakes. This is not the case with the present invention. All of the shingles disclosed herein are specifically designed to produce a repetitive geometric pattern, having no resemblance, either individually or when assembled into a roof covering, with the shape or size of shingles or shakes.

[0053] Yet another version of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this instance, shingle 64 includes six triangularly shaped teeth 66, with five triangularly shaped, inner cutout spaces 67 therebetween. The teeth 66 have their ends pointed downwardly, and the cutout spaces 67, identically sized and configured, have their ends pointed upwardly. Half-sized cutout spaces 68 and 69 are provided on either lateral extremity of cover piece 12. A backing shim 37 is attached to the underside of cover piece 12, to provide triangularly shaped exposed portions 71.

[0054] Shingles 64 are assembled as previously described, to form a roof covering 72. Joints 73 are evident between adjacent shingles 64, but in each instance, a layer of asphalt sheet or an underlying shingle, forms a weather tight surface below each joint 73. Again, the repetitious geometric pattern of the triangle provides a striking and distinctive visual effect when the shingles 64 are assembled into a roof covering.

[0055] Yet even more basic constructions of shingles embodying the principles of the present invention are contemplated. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of these basic configurations are illustrated, respectively, in FIGS. 12A-12C, and FIGS. 13A-13B. Where appropriate, the same numeric designations for identical common elements are used in these Figures, as those previously employed for describing other embodiments of the invention. Turning now to FIG. 12A, a single tooth, symmetrical shingle 74 is shown. This shingle includes a single tooth 76, a first cutout space transition portion 77, and a second cutout space transition portion 78. In this instance, the tooth 76 is centrally located in the visual feature region 14. Transition portions 77 and 78 are identically sized and configured, and are mirror images with respect to each other. It will be appreciated that if one symmetrical shingle 74 were placed in lateral edge abutment with another shingle 74, the adjacent transition portions would form a visual feature identical to a full-sized cutout space, linking together the appearance of the two shingles.

[0056] A single cutout space, symmetrical shingle 79, is depicted in FIG. 12B. This shingle includes a single cutout space 81, a first tooth transition portion 82, and a second tooth transition portion 83. Since transition portions 82 and 83 are identically sized and configured, cutout space 81 is centrally positioned within the visual feature region 14. When the lateral edges of two shingles 79 are placed in abutting relation, the tooth transition portion 82 of one shingle joins the tooth transition portion 83 of another shingle to form a full-sized tooth. Thus, a course of symmetrical shingles 79, displays the alternating visual features of full-sized cutout spaces and full-sized teeth.

[0057] FIG. 12C shows the two-toothed shingle 11, previously described, for comparison with the shingles shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Although shingle 11 has two teeth rather than a single tooth, it is a symmetrical shingle, and it shares a number of common aspects with both of the symmetrical shingles 74 and 79. For instance, cutout space 21 is centrally positioned, as is the cutout space 81 of shingle 79. And, shingle 11 includes identically sized and configured outer half-sized cutout portions 24 and 26, which are identical in location and function to transition portions 77 and 78 of shingle 74.

[0058] An example of a single tooth, asymmetrical shingle 84 is shown in FIG. 13A. This shingle includes a tooth 86, a first cutout space transition portion 87, and a second cutout space transition portion 88. It will be noted that tooth 86 is laterally offset, residing in the right-hand portion of visual feature region 14. This is a consequence of the different sizes and shapes for transition portions 87 and 88. However, even though transition portion 87 is more elongated than transition portion 88, when two shingles 84 are arranged in edge-abutting relation, the transition portion 87 of one shingle will merge with the transition portion 88 of another shingle to form a full-sized cutout space. Thus, even though the transition portions of an individual shingle are different in size and shape, when two or more of these asymmetrical shingles are abutted together at their edges to form a course, the alternating visual features of identical teeth and identical cutout spaces are again formed.

[0059] Turning to FIG. 13B, an example of a single cutout space, asymmetrical shingle 89 is illustrated. The visual feature region 14 of shingle 89 includes a cutout space 91, a first tooth transition portion 92, and a second tooth transition portion 93. In this case, cutout space 91 is displaced laterally into the left-hand portion of visual feature region 14. This a consequence of the fact that tooth transition portion 92 is smaller and of a different configuration than tooth transition portion 93. But, when two shingles 89 are arranged in edge-abutting relation, the lateral edge of transition portion 92 of one shingle will join with the lateral edge of transition portion 93 of another shingle, to form a full-sized tooth. Thus, again, the alternating visual features of teeth and cutout spaces are formed in a course of such shingles.

[0060] The last asymmetrical shingle to be disclosed is a double-toothed asymmetrical shingle 94. This shingle has many similarities to symmetrical shingle 11, in that it includes a cutout space 96, a first tooth 97, and a second tooth 98. Shingle 94 also includes a first cutout space transition portion 99 and a second cutout space transition portion 101. As transition portions 99 and 101 are different in size and configuration, teeth 97 and 98, as well as cutout space 96, are laterally offset to the left-hand portion of visual feature region 14. As with the previously described shingles, when two or more shingles 94 are assembled in abutting edge relation, the adjacent transition portions 99 and 101 join to form full-size visual features, in this case, cutout spaces.

[0061] It will be appreciated, then, that we have described an asphalt shingle construction which uses a plurality of visual features, in the form of teeth and cutout spaces, identically shaped and sized in a geometric pattern. Through the use of transitional portions of cutout spaces or teeth on both lateral extremities of each shingle, full sized cutout spaces or teeth are formed when shingles are arranged in edge butting relation. In that manner, alternating visual features, identical in size and configuration but vertically inverted in orientation, are displayed by a course of shingles. In addition, by laterally offsetting vertically adjacent courses of such shingles, powerful and visually distinctive geometric patterns are produced in the resultant roof covering.

Claims

1. An asphalt shingle, comprising:

a. an elongated cover piece, said cover piece having an upper headlap portion and a lower visual feature region, said visual feature region including at least two substantially identically sized and configured teeth, said teeth being arranged in lineal relation with an inner cutout space between adjacent said teeth, said cover piece having a median, transverse axis about which said visual feature region on either side of said transverse axis is symmetrical in appearance.

2. A shingle as in claim 1, in which said teeth are trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges.

3. A shingle as in claim 2, in which said inner cutout space between two said teeth is trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

4. A shingle as in claim 1, in which said teeth are trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

5. A shingle as in claim 4, in which said inner cutout space between said teeth is trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges.

6. A shingle as in claim 1, in which said teeth are triangular in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges.

7. A shingle as in claim 6, in which said inner cutout space between said teeth is triangular in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

8. A shingle as in claim 1, in which each of said teeth has an inner side and an outer side, and further including an outer cutout space adjacent each of said outer sides of said teeth, each of said outer cutout spaces being mirror images of each other and respectively approximately one-half the size of said inner cutout space.

9. A shingle as in claim 1 further including a backing shim beneath and substantially co-extensive with said visual feature region, and in which said backing shim includes an exposed portion within said inner cutout space.

10. A shingle as in claim 9 in which said exposed portion is coated with a textured material.

11. A shingle as in claim 9 in which said visual feature region is a first color, and said exposed portion is a second color.

12. An asphalt shingle, comprising:

a. an elongated cover piece, said cover piece having an upper headlap portion and a lower visual feature region, said visual feature region including at least one tooth and two halfteeth, said tooth and said half teeth being arranged in lineal relation with substantially identical cutout spaces on either side of said tooth, each of said half teeth being on opposing sides of said tooth between an outer edge of each of said cutout spaces and a lateral edge of said cover piece, said cover piece having a median, transverse axis about which said lower visual feature region on either side of said transverse axis is symmetrical in appearance.

13. A shingle as in claim 12, in which said tooth is trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges.

14. A shingle as in claim 13, in which said cutout spaces on either side of said tooth are trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

15. A shingle as in claim 12, in which said tooth is trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

16. A shingle as in claim 15, in which said cutout spaces on either side of said tooth are trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges.

17. A shingle as in claim 12, in which said half teeth are mirror images of each other and respectively approximately one-half the size of said tooth.

18. A shingle as in claim 12 further including a backing shim beneath and substantially co-extensive with said visual feature region, and in which said backing shim includes an exposed portion within said space.

19. A shingle as in claim 18 in which said exposed portion is coated with a textured material

20. A shingle as in claim 18 in which said visual feature region is a first color, and said exposed portion is a second color.

21. An asphalt shingle, comprising:

a. an elongated cover piece, said cover piece having an upper headlap portion and a lower visual feature region, said visual feature region including:

(i) a first visual feature; (ii) a first transition portion of a second visual feature; and, (iii) a second transition portion of a second visual feature;

said first visual feature and said first and second transition portions being arranged in lineal relation along said visual feature region with said first visual feature being between, said first and second transition portions, said first and second transition portions having respective outer edges and being complementary in size and configuration, so that when said outer edges are placed in contingent relation, said first and second transition portions form a second visual feature which is substantially identical in size and configuration to said first visual feature, and vertically inverted in orientation with respect thereto.

22. A shingle as in claim 21, in which said first visual feature is a tooth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging outer side edges.

23. A shingle as in claim 22, in which said first and second transition portions are cutout spaces, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging inner side edges and parallel outer side edges.

24. A shingle as in claim 21, in which said first visual feature is a cutout space, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

25. A shingle as in claim 24, in which said first and second transition portions are teeth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges and parallel outer side edges.

26. A shingle as in claim 24 further including a backing shim beneath and substantially co-extensive with said visual feature region, and in which said backing shim includes an exposed portion within said cutout space.

27. A shingle as in claim 26 in which said exposed portion is coated with a textured material.

28. A shingle as in claim 27 in which said visual feature region is a first color, and said exposed portion is a second color.

29. A shingle as in claim 21, in which said first and second transition portions are mirror images of each other and respectively approximately one-half the size of said first visual feature.

30. A shingle as in claim 29, in which said first visual feature is a tooth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging outer side edges.

31. A shingle as in claim 30, in which said first and second transition portions are cutout spaces, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging inner side edges and parallel outer side edges.

32. A shingle as in claim 29, in which said first visual feature is a cutout space, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

33. A shingle as in claim 32, in which said first and second transition portions are teeth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges and parallel outer side edges.

34. A shingle as in claim 21, in which said first and second transition portions are asymmetrical in size and shape.

35. A shingle as in claim 34, in which said first visual feature is a tooth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging outer side edges.

36. A shingle as in claim 35, in which said first and second transition portions are cutout spaces, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging inner side edges and parallel outer side edges.

37. A shingle as in claim 34, in which said first visual feature is a cutout space, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and outwardly diverging side edges.

38. A shingle as in claim 37, in which said first and second transition portions are teeth, trapezoidal in configuration, having downwardly and inwardly converging side edges and parallel outer side edges.

39. A asphalt roof covering, comprising:

a. a first elongated cover piece, said cover piece having an upper headlap portion and a visual feature region, said visual feature region including:

(i) a first visual feature; (ii) a first transition portion of a second visual feature; and, (iii) a second transition portion of a second visual feature;

said first visual feature and said first and second transition portions being arranged in lineal relation along said visual feature region with said first and second transition portions being located on either side of said first visual feature and having respective outer lateral edges, said first and second transition portions being complementary in size and configuration; and,

b. a second elongated cover piece, identically configured as said first elongated cover piece, in which said first and second cover pieces are installed on a roof structure in longitudinal alignment with adjacent lateral edges in abutting relation, so that said first transition portion for said first cover piece and said second transition portion from said second cover piece, form a second visual feature which is substantially identical in size and configuration to said first visual feature, and vertically inverted in orientation with respect thereto.