Joint With Fluid-handling Feature Patents (Class 52/533)
  • Publication number: 20040244324
    Abstract: The present invention features a heated roofing system using standard-size roofing shingles each having a resistive heating element. Each shingle is designed to easily connect to a preassembled, flat electrical power cable having slide-on electrical connectors spaced periodically along its length. The power cable is typically supplied rolled so that as each shingle in a course is attached to a roof, the power cable can be unrolled and each subsequent shingle electrically connected to the cable. A power controller having a temperature sensor and a precipitation sensor controls the flow of electrical energy to the shingles. Because the power cable is flat, it lies well beneath layers of shingles and may be folded at the end of a course so that a single cable may supply power to multiple rows of shingles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: David J. McKenna
  • Publication number: 20040031222
    Abstract: An innovative roofing tile is presented, the roofing tile configured to allow liquid such as rain to flow through the roofing tile. The innovative roofing tile allows the design of a roof with ahidden gutters. Such a roof is both esthetic and allows for a low-maintenance and robust gutter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Ofer Porat
  • Patent number: 6640502
    Abstract: A fluid leak capture and drainage system for ceiling leaks which includes a ceiling panel support grid and a plurality of ceiling panels mounted thereon is disclosed. The ceiling panel has a raised platform located in the center of the panel and a wall extending along the periphery of the panel so that a perimeter trough is formed between the platform and the wall. The wall has a top edge and a rim extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from the top edge of the wall and at least one opening formed through the wall. A fitting is connected to the opening and tubing is attached to the fitting for draining the trough as fluid collects therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen M. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20030182887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roofing shingle, which can surely prevent water such as rainwater from leaking through a roof. A roofing shingle has a rectangular plate (11) provided with first through fourth seam portions (11a-11d). The first and second seam portions (11a, 11b) are positioned in a pair along opposite side edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to a plane of said plate. The third and fourth seam portions (11c, 11d) are positioned in a pair along opposite end edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to the plane of said plate. The roofing shingle comprises a waterproofing sheet member (20) having a sheet (21) with its configuration greater than that of said plate and adhesive layers (22a, 22b) provided on both sides of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Muneyasu Shirota
  • Patent number: 6619006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roofing shingle, which can surely prevent water such as rainwater from leaking through a roof. A roofing shingle has a rectangular plate (11) provided with first through fourth seam portions (11a-11d). The first and second seam portions (11a, 11b) are positioned in a pair along opposite side edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to a plane of said plate. The third and fourth seam portions (11c, 11d) are positioned in a pair along opposite end edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to the plane of said plate. The roofing shingle comprises a waterproofing sheet member (20) having a sheet (21) with its configuration greater than that of said plate and adhesive layers (22a, 22b) provided on both sides of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Muneyasu Shirota
  • Patent number: 6609342
    Abstract: A sealing member and fastening fitting are arranged at a joint portion of four siding boards of a shiplap structure. The sealing member comprises a base plate portion, a horizontally rising plate portion at left and right sides of the base plate portion, and an inclined portion bent diagonally downwardly from the horizontally rising plate portion. At the base plate portion, a forward protrusion is provided upwardly of the horizontally rising plate portion. A storage recess, having a width substantially equal to the width of a fastening fitting, is formed between the left and right forward protrusions. Lateral elastic materials cover portions of the horizontally rising plate portion, the inclined portion, and the forward protrusion. The sealing member is of easy and stable construction and reliably prevents rain water penetration. A siding boards attachment structure uses the sealing member and a method of constructing the siding boards attachment structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Publication number: 20030115819
    Abstract: An extruded concrete interlocking roof tile has upper and under surfaces, upper and lower edges, two opposite side edges, with the upper surface having a recess extending transversely between the two opposite side edges adjacent the upper edge for receiving a lower edge region of an adjacent tile in overlapping relationship, and in that integral spacer means acts between the recess floor and the undersurface of the adjacent tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: John Fifield
  • Patent number: 6564523
    Abstract: A tile made of stiff molded synthetic resin having edges which overlap when a plurality of tiles are assembled upon a roof and an upper continuous contoured ridge along the upper edge and a lower continuous contoured ridge along the lower edge. The upper and lower ridges being stepped shape to engage with horizontal continuity when a plurality of tiles are assembled upon a roof. A through hole is provided in the lower ridge which aligns with a slot in the upper ridge to allow a screw to pass therethrough fastening two contiguous rows of tiles to a supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Baldini Iole, Mazzoli Mariagrazia
  • Patent number: 6546687
    Abstract: An improved waterproofing system for the concrete slab of a flat roof on a building is disclosed. The waterproofing system uses hollow plastic panels of designed size, different thickness, and groove and tongue joints for interconnecting the panels. A supplementary waterproofing layer may be installed using sheet membrane materials such as asphalt sheet, metal sheet and other sheets on vertical surfaces, especially the parapet of the roof. The invention further concerns a construction method for applying a fiber mesh reinforcement on the connection joint and for applying fluid-applied materials on the substrate with sheet membrane layers on vertical surfaces. The waterproofing layer of sloped step type, hollow plastic panels of different thickness, permits fast drainage of stagnant water, which inhibits weather damage to the waterproofing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Sang Keun Oh, Sung Min Choi, Ki Sun Bae
  • Patent number: 6539683
    Abstract: The roof shingle system of the present invention includes rows of shingle elements having parallel, slanting lower edges that are aligned to divert the flow of water away from areas where high flow volumes are not desired toward areas where high flow volumes will not cause harm. Because water flowing down a surface will tend to adhere to that surface, the water flowing down the surface of the shingle system of the present invention will tend to follow the slanting lower edges of the shingle elements in the direction of the slanted edges so as to provide a way to control the flow of water on the surface of a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Mitchell Pilcher
  • Patent number: 6519905
    Abstract: A roofing system (10) adapted to be supported on a support surface (18), the system including a plurality of panels (14) arranged in partially overlapping relation to form a roof, the panels each having first (42) and second (44) side edges, an upper (26) and lower (30) surfaces providing a series of barrels (46) and pans (50), a first side region (83) defining a portion of a barrel and a first cylindrical mating surface (82), and a second-side region (66) defining a portion of a pan and a second cylindrical mating surface, the panels being arranged in overlapping relation so that the first and second mating surfaces are sealingly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald S. W. Knighton
  • Publication number: 20020174618
    Abstract: Apparatus for installing siding over a wall composed of spaced apart studs and for forming an interlock of the siding and for providing easy installation and for resistance to high winds and for allowing waters to drain therefrom comprising an upside down U-shaped receiving member for being clipped on a first siding plank and connected to a second U-shaped receiving member with the second U-shaped receiving member being faced for receiving a second siding plank for creating the desired over lap relationship between the first and second siding planks. One form of the apparatus has a substantially U-shaped aperture formed therein for avoiding the studs when clipped on a siding plank. Another form of the apparatus has a second up side down U-shaped receiving member for being clipped on factory created end joints which may meet at any location on the wall without regard to the studs to form a joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Paul T. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6354289
    Abstract: A building (1) has a roof structure (2) clad with a plurality of ambient heat collection tiles in the form of panels (3), mounted on parallel battens (4) carried by roof rafters (10), and disposed in edge-overlapping relationship. The panels (3) are of identical form. Each panel comprises a plank-like aluminum extrusion of substantial length and of rectangular plan form, having edge-coupling portions (5, 6). The interior of each panel (3) is formed with pair of substantially parallel ducts (7, 8) disposed side by side, which define flow and return paths respectively, for a heat transfer fluid, such as water. The flow and return ducts (7, 8) are divided from each other by an integral barrier wall (9). A panel (3) is not of uniform lateral cross section throughout its length. The cross section is uniform except at the ends where the dividing wall (9) has been cut away at one end so as to allow water to pass from the flow path (7) to the return path (8) in a re-entrant manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Envirotech Investments Limited
    Inventor: Alan Hilton Ridett
  • Publication number: 20020026758
    Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Elward Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Everett Lee Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6336304
    Abstract: A roof in which an upper-end engaging portion of a downstream roof panel is seam-jointed with a lower-end engaging portion of an upstream roof panel, wherein at least the lower-end engaging portion has flexural rigidity enough to disengage the seam joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Mimura, Kimitoshi Fukae, Akiharu Takabayashi, Masahiro Mori, Takashi Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 6298616
    Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Everett Lee Mitchell, Jed D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6282858
    Abstract: An injection molded rigid roof panel system for constructing pitched roof structures of the type affixed directly to roof trusses or rafters and needing no structural or supporting sheathing surface or moisture barrier. Comprised of no less than (23) standard roof panel components of varying shapes, sizes, colors and exposed surfaces replicating conventional roofing surfaces. Panels overlap, underlap and interlock by means of an array of shoulders, locating ribs and clearance channels creating a unitized roof system utilizing integral seals at the seams, subsurface water channels and self sealing, threaded fasteners whose molded-in, counter-bored holes are further sealed by composite plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew C. Swick
  • Patent number: 6253511
    Abstract: A horizontal joint between upper and lower building panels, as well as a building wall including such a horizontal joint, in which a liquid diverting arrangement includes a gutter with first and second ends and at least one aperture disposed between these ends. Also contemplated are a method and apparatus for forming at least two building panels, in which the panels have different reveal dimensions, and a method and apparatus for forming a building panel in which a first reveal portion is registered while a second reveal portion has been formed at a preselected distance therefrom. Further contemplated are a method and kit for customizably assembling a building wall, in which panels having different thickness dimensions can be interchangeably connected with one another, as well as a method and kit for customizably assembling a building wall, in which on or more decorative profile panels and one or more structural building wall panels can be interchangeably connected with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Centria
    Inventor: Keith Boyer
  • Patent number: 6244007
    Abstract: A roof has a series of panels are positioned along roof joists such that there are upper and power panels to provide a series of air paths between the upper and associated lower panel. The upper panels are shorter in length than the lower panels so that a portion of the lower panel is exposed to create an opening for air to exit. The combination of the air paths and the exposed panels permits the free flow of air from the bottom to the top of the roof which allows cooling as well as rain water to flow along the lower panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Unto A. Heikkila
  • Patent number: 6226941
    Abstract: An undercover system for decks and the like which comprises at least a pair of spaced apart support assemblies and a plurality of cover members supported on the support assemblies to keep the area under the deck dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas M. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6205742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a roof structure, in which clay is formed into tiles which simulate wood shakes, and the tiles are attached atop a supporting surface in a predetermined manner in a substantially unrecognizable pattern. The tile configuration provides a structure which is light in weight yet is structurally sound, which lends itself to ready installation upon a wide variety of structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: United States Tile Co.
    Inventor: Eric Martin Hahn
  • Patent number: 6173546
    Abstract: A metal shingle including a main body having a top, bottom, left and right peripheral edges and a front and a back surface. The top edge defines a top flange bent over the front surface, and bottom edge defines a bottom flange bent over the back surface. The left edge is a straight edge, and the right edge is a lock-formed shape defining a channel. The metal shingle is attached to the underlying roof sheathing material either through a nailing flange or by a clip attached to the top flange. The metal shingle can be part of a shingle system. The metal shingle is relatively small in exposed area and easily interconnected with adjacent metal shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: James P Schafer
  • Patent number: 6098362
    Abstract: Plastic tiles are combined with troughs to cover a wooden deck. The U-shaped troughs are laid across the deck in parallel and are slightly spaced apart to form gaps between them. Each tile comprises a rectangular upper block having downwardly depending legs. The block stands on two adjacent troughs and bridges the gap. Rainwater moves through the cracks between the tiles and is received in the troughs, which form sluice-ways for conveying it to the edge of the deck for release. The block has a forwardly projecting, narrow protrusion positioned to register with the gap. The protrusion forms a laterally extending channel, for conveying water across the gap to the troughs, and a hole through which a screw may be driven to affix the tile to the wood of the deck at the gap. The protrusion fits beneath the rear end of the next tile so that the screw is isolated from the water. The assembly of tiles and troughs prevents water reaching the wood of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Cameron Frank Marriott, Kent Gray Jensen
  • Patent number: 6082064
    Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Elward Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Everett Lee Mitchell, Jed D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5992116
    Abstract: An artificial shake type shingle is comprised of a molded composite of wood or cellulose particles and ground-up recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles. The PVC particles are preferably formed from recycled water or garden hose, preferably those with reinforcing fibers therein, which composition helps to attain a strong building material product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Re-New Wood, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jeffrey Ternes, Kimberly K. Ternes, Barry L. West
  • Patent number: 5956913
    Abstract: A shingle system comprising a fastening strip and a plurality of shingles. The fastening strip includes a top flange portion and a fastener portion. A gasket is located along a bottom surface of the fastening portion. The plurality of shingles each include top and bottom edges and opposing side edges. The bottom edge includes an underturned flange for engaging the top flange portion of the fastening strip. Overturned or underturned flanges are provided on the side edges to connect adjacent shingles along the sides. In a further embodiment, the shingles comprise first and second shingle configurations where the first shingle configuration includes side edges that are tapered and either overturned or underturned, and where the second shingle configuration includes side edges having an opposite taper to the first shingle configuration as well as an opposite flange. In a further embodiment, the shingle system further comprises a roof cap including tailing and leading edges and opposing side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph R. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5946877
    Abstract: A fastenable composite roofing shingle is made from a composition comprising an organic, resinous material and an inorganic filler material, the shingle having a structure comprising a top surface forming an upper, headlap portion and a lower, butt portion, with the headlap portion having one or more targets suitable for indicating a desired fastener location to a shingle installer. The targets include a recessed area in the top surface of the shingle to enable a head of a fastener to be sheltered below the top surface. The recessed area has a hollow dimple defining an area of additional indentation, whereby the thickness of the shingle in the recessed area is greater than the thickness of the shingle in the dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Gallinat, Andy Rudy, Thomas K. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5941039
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a concrete roof tile having a front edge surface, which is that surface of the tile across the width of the tile and which faces downwardly when in use on a roof. The front edge surface has a progressively greater depth as between a relatively thin profiled central portion and thicker profiled side portions. In use, the horizontal rows of the roof tiles are laid in half-bond relationship with adjacent horizontal rows to give a pleasing appearance in which the combined overlapped thicknesses of the tiles in one such row of tiles and the tiles of adjacent rows of tiles above and/or below at overlapped headlap and tail portions are the same or substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Redland Technologies, Limited
    Inventor: Frazer William Timothy Law
  • Patent number: 5916100
    Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: ? Elward Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Everett Lee Mitchell, Jed D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5901519
    Abstract: A treatment for an aircraft interior has a plurality of panels for assembly to the interior, including side and center ceiling panels, and sidewall panels. The panels control overhead liquids and water and divert them away from the interior. The panels have features that permit them to flex and slide in relation to each other while still retaining the ability to transmit liquids from the side ceiling panels outwardly to exterior surfaces of the sidewall panels and away from the interior. The center ceiling panel has features that block liquids thereon from moving outwardly toward the side ceiling panels, and features that transmit such liquids rearwardly and away from the aircraft interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas Gray Wilson
  • Patent number: 5845446
    Abstract: Longitudinal facing laid on a base between retainers at a prescribed spacing includes a central face plate, an inner riser along right and left edges of the face plate, an outer riser on an outer side of each inner riser, a drain channel formed between the inner and outer risers, an engaging portion at at least one of end and median portions of the outer riser and in resilient engagement with the retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Gantan Beauty Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motokatsu Funaki, Noboru Yamasaka, Kazuyuki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5809731
    Abstract: Drainage system apparatus for collecting water from exterior walls of a building and directing the water to predetermined locations spaced away from the foundation of the building to prevent basement flooding. The apparatus uses a pitched conduit attached to an exterior wall of the building which collects and carries the water to a selected location. A siding member is also attached to the wall so that it covers the conduit to give the apparatus an appearance that is consistent with the rest of the wall. The siding member has slots to allow water to pass through the siding member and into the conduit. A starter strip secures the bottom edge of the siding member and incorporates means for discharging water overflowing the conduit at points spaced from the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: David R. Reiss
  • Patent number: 5711127
    Abstract: A roof shingle has parallel top and bottom marginal edge portion which are turned inwardly of a central area and are interengageable with like bottom and top marginal edge portions, respectively, of like roof shingles. The shingle further comprising, at each side thereof, an upper side marginal edge portion and a lower side marginal edge portion, which are inclined relative to said parallel top and bottom marginal edge portions, respectively, so as to converge with one another; and are interengageable with like lower and upper side edge marginal portions, respectively, of like roof shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Brunelle P. Sabourin
  • Patent number: 5711126
    Abstract: An angled roofing shingle for a roof ridge line is made from an organic, resinous material and a filler material. The shingle has a first elongated portion and a separable, second elongated portion. These two portions each have a longitudinal edge provided with a mating edge surface and are joined together at an angle less than 180 degrees so that the shingle can cover and conform to the ridge line. Means are included for moving the first and second elongated portions relative to each other to change the angle of the shingle to accommodate a variety of angles of ridge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglass Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James Randolph Wells
  • Patent number: 5685118
    Abstract: A standing seam roof assembly with a four corner sealing assembly having an upper pair of interlocking standing seam joint panels and a lower pair of interlocking standing seam joint panels which meet in a lapped four corner juncture area, the upper ends of the lower panel pair are overlapped by the lower ends of the upper panel pair at the juncture area, one panel of each of the upper panel pair and the lower panel pair having an upstanding male side lap portion forming a male apex. The other panel of each of the upper panels and the lower panels have an upstanding female sidelap portion overlapping the respective male sidelap portions, each of the female sidelap portions having a longitudinally disposed sealant cavity and a sidelap sealant strip that is predeterminedly disposed within the sealant cavity with the sealant strip veering at the juncture area. The upstanding leg portions of the male sidelap portions are received within the insertion cavity of one of the female sidelap portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Harold Simpson, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5630305
    Abstract: A roofing and/or siding unit and methods are disclosed, the units being formed of an appropriately formulated flexible foamed PVC material, and having a size, overall shape, and exposed surface configuration modeled after a traditional building material unit for which the units of this invention may be substituted (for example shake shingles, or various types of roofing tiles). The units are manufactured by an injection molding process wherein one part of the mold utilized is made by taking a metal casting of the normally exposed surface of one of the traditional building units so that substantial duplicates thereof are produced by the molding process. Since the units produced are similar in size, shape and the like to the traditional type units, workers need no special training regarding their application, which in most applications requires no techniques differing from techniques utilized to apply the traditional building units after which the units of this invention are modeled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Richard S. Hlasnicek
  • Patent number: 5613337
    Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An "S" shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The trailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Vail Metal Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Plath, James M. Buster
  • Patent number: 5537792
    Abstract: A wall covering comprising a plurality of plastic molded panels each having a relatively thin body portion formed with rows of simulated building elements. The panels are mounted on a support surface in a plurality of horizontal courses with a side marginal edge region of one panel overlapping and sealingly engaging an underlying side marginal edge region of the adjacent panel and a lower marginal region of a panel in one course overlying an upper marginal region of a panel in a lower course. Each panel is provided with frangible locating means for positively locating an interlock lip of the overlying panel in predetermined engaged relation with interlock flanges of an underlying panel. The interlock flanges of the panels are provided with reinforcement ribs to prevent breakage when the panels are exposed to weather extremes and undergo thermal expansion or contraction. Finally, each panel is provided with side interlock means which enhance the panel's resistance to buckling during installation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Nailite International
    Inventor: Alfred Moliere
  • Patent number: 5535567
    Abstract: An interlocking roofing panel is disclosed. The panel has longitudinal edges and large and small dikes extending along these edges. These dikes interlock to form a standing seam. Upon installation, the top wall of the small dike is sufficiently spaced below the top wall of the first dike of an overlapping longitudinally adjacent panel, defining an "upper gap," to interrupt movement of water between the dikes. Also, the small dike features a concave portion which opens towards the primary panel portion and the first dike has a linking portion, so that the linking portion extends into the concave portion while being sufficiently spaced within the concave portion, defining a "lower gap," that, during installation, upward movement of the first dike relative to the small dike is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Razor Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Cahoon
  • Patent number: 5519975
    Abstract: A molded roofing material tile that forms a five-sided rectangular box-like structure with a central support spine running on the underside of the tile from the back side to the front side, that permits virtually free drainage of sub-tile water through an elongated weep aperture running along the back side of the tile, thereby to drain water away that would otherwise deteriorate the tile and the underlayment. The tile has rabbeted sides that permit overlapping with side adjacent tiles laid in a roofing course. The tiles are fastened by conventional fasteners that run through reinforced fastener posts at the rear corners of the tile, and do not require application of special adhesive. No special alternative embodiment is required as an initial course of tile nearest the eaves of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Mark Taylor, Laura B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5509246
    Abstract: A roof shingle for solar heat collection comprises an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment of the roof shingle has a greater thickness than the lower segment. The upper segment has a transverse opening extending therethrough for receiving hollow tubing inserted therein. The opening is adapted to be aligned with openings in adjacent roof shingles on either side of the roof shingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Mark E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 5490360
    Abstract: Roofing elements, particularly suitable for use on flat roof constructions, are provided with co-operating means on each of at least one pair of opposite side edges for co-operation with at least two adjacent elements on each of the side edges. When assembled, movement of any one element involves movement of at least one co-operating element on each of the opposite sides edges. Such bidirectional co-operation results in an interlocked roof construction wherein the uplifting of individual roofing elements by the action of the wind or other forces is substantially eliminated. Uplift pressure caused by wind passing over the roof surface can be further reduced by providing communicating air-flow passages between co-operating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Oldcastle Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Paul V. Childress
  • Patent number: 5457924
    Abstract: A slate roofing material joint having a flat strip-shaped mounting base plate made of weatherproof soft resin. A pair of flat-based plates, which are also weatherproof, but are made of hard resin, are connected to the sides of the mounting base plate. Several water-guide protruding strips run along the base plates and edge flashings made of weatherproof soft resin are formed at the outer edge of the base plates. A portion of the edge flashings are bent upward and curved inward with an edge thickness that progressively declines for elastically supporting roofing material. The entire structure forms an integral unit made of weatherproof soft and hard resins for carrying away water, which has seeped through the roofing material, out from under the roofing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: Keizou Fujii, Ikuji Ono
  • Patent number: 5443878
    Abstract: A composite weatherboard having a timber member and a metal exterior sheath. The sheath is extruded with longitudinal projections which are fitted and pressed into permanent engagement with corresponding grooves or tongues provided in the timber member thereby obviating the need to use an adhesive or other fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: La Grouw Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Kerry R. Treloar, Johannes La Grouw, Cornelius La Grouw
  • Patent number: 5442888
    Abstract: A roofing shingle is conveniently formed from a square sheet metal blank. One corner of the blank is provided with a pair of open ended, back to back U shaped slots transverse to a diagonal passing through that corner. The two sides intersected by the slots are downwardly turned to form a small margin, and the other two sides are upwardly turned to form a margin of similar width to the downwardly turned sides. The corner is also downwardly folded above the slots to form a margin of similar width to the other margins, and below the slots it is folded so as to be generally parallel to the central area of the shingle. A shingle support preferably of foamed sheet polystyrene is disposed on the under surface of the shingle. The shingles are layed course by course on a pitched roof in a diamond configuration, a shingle of an upper course engaging the respective downturned edges of two adjacent shingles of a lower course in the U shaped slots to lock the lower corner of the upper shingle mechanically in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Peter Ilnyckyj
  • Patent number: 5438810
    Abstract: A roofing panel for use on inclined roofing support structures wherein the panel is formed of sheet material and is configured in section from its higher to its lower end such as to define at its upper end a downwardly depending foot arranged in use to enable securement to the roof support structure at or adjacent its higher end and then an upwardly extending ridge lower than the foot and having in its side facing the lower end of the panel, a slot; the lower end of the panel including a downwardly directed ridge arranged in use to overly the ridge of the next succeeding lower panel and including a tongue directed towards the higher end of the panel and lying beneath the under surface of the panel and arranged in use to engage with the slot in the upwardly directed ridge of the next succeeding lower panel for positive location therewithin, whereby the panel in use lies over the downward depending securement foot of the next succeeding lower panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventors: Robert J. Bullen, Gordon D. Addison
  • Patent number: 5410849
    Abstract: A modular building panel having a roofing surface capable of accepting roofing shingles is disclosed, and includes two metal sheets separated by an insulating foam core bonded to the sheets and a first interlocking member on one side and a second interlocking member on the other side. A construction material capable of supporting roofing shingles by support roofing nails is positioned in a groove at the top surface of the foam core, and with the core is covered on its roofing surface by a metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Aluminum Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Christopher
  • Patent number: 5335473
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a tongue and groove product which comprises a first and second major surface and a first and second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinally edge includes a longitudinally-extending groove. The second longitudinal edge includes a longitudinally-extending protruding tongue for interlockingly engaging a complimentary grooved longitudinal edge of an adjacent tongue and groove board. The protruding tongue has an upper and a lower longitudinally-extending surface. The major design feature of this invention is that the protruding tongue has at least one substantially vertically-extending opening formed therein. Each of the openings extends through the protruding tongue from said longitudinally-extending upper surface to said longitudinally-extending lower surface for providing at least one drain path for water to drain by gravity from said first major surface downwardly through each said vertically-extending opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Louisiana Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Peter D. Chase
  • Patent number: 5331783
    Abstract: A ridge peak roof ventilator comprising a pair of vent parts disposed on opposing sides of an opening in a roof peak, and a top panel disposed above and connecting each of the vent parts. The vent parts may be of unitary construction, folded from interconnected panels, or assembled from individual layers of sheet material, and each forms a multiplicity of air passages through which air flows from the interior to the exterior of the roof ventilator. The top panel is constructed from double-faced corrugated plastic having a pair of planar plies and a convoluted intermediate ply. The underside of the top panel is routed along the centerline to form a concave recessed area, thereby cutting away a section of one planar ply and part of the intermediate ply to form oval-shaped openings. Each opening has side walls traversing concave arcuate paths between a maximum height adjacent the side edges of the recessed area and a minimum height along the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Liberty Diversified Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Kasner, Mark S. Stoll, Richard J. Morris
  • Patent number: RE38210
    Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An “S” shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The tailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Vail Metal Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Plath, James M. Buster