Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1064217
The present invention relates to a shingle-covered building sur-
face, especially a roof, as well as to a method of and means for constructing
same.
In building construction it has become increasingly common to use
modular units for the production of various parts of buildings, not hitherto
shingle-covered roof structures, however.
For reasons associated with waterproofing and appearance, roof
covering materials have hitherto been applied by hand after the production of
the roof structure proper, and in some cases the roof structure itself has
been provided with a rather simpler form of covering or waterproofing mater-
ial in order, during the period of time elapsing between the building of the
roof structure and the laying of the actual roof-covering material proper, to
protect the building construction against wind and weather. In the latter
case, thus an expensive extra, provisional roof covering is used which per-
forms no real function when the final roof covering material has been laid,
... this especially in the case where the final roof covering material is to be
constituted by shingles which are of course applied with appropriate overlap.
~ According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided
, in a shingle-covered building surface comprising a plurality of prefabricated
dules, each of which has a standard width, said modules being laid adjacent ; .
one another with at least longitudinal joints between them, a shingle covering
on each module comprising a plurality of parallel shingle elements which
~, overlap each other by a predetermined amount each shingle element comprising
~, a plurality of codirectional, identical shingle units arranged in a row, each
unit incorporating a base section and a central projecting covering tongue,
the improvements that every second shingle element in the longitudinal tirec- :
tion of the module comprises n shingle units and has the same width as the
module, and that the other shingle elements in the longitudinal direction of
the module comprise odd number less, preferably n-l shingle units, the units
of adjacent overlapping elements being laterally offset by half the unit width,
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1064217
and shingle units being inserted between the shingle coverings of laterally
adjacent modules to overlap longitudinal therebetween and to complete the
shingle covering.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pro-
vided in a method of manufacturing a shingle covered building surface com-
prising the steps of prefabricating modules of standard witth, covering the
modules with parallel overlapping shingle elements with constant overlap,
each element comprising a plurality of codirectional identical shingle units
arranged in a row, each with a base-section and a central projecting tongue,
overlapping elements being laterally offset in relation to one another by
half the unit width, mounting the covered modules one beside the other with
at least longitudinal joints between them and completing the shingle cover-
ing over the joints, the improvements comprising covering the modules with
shingle elements of which every second element in the longitudinal direction
of the module comprise n shingle units and has the same width as the module
and of which the other elements comprises an odd number less, preferably -
n-l shingle units, and completing the shingle covering at the lateral joints -
between adjacent modules by inserting separate shingle units in the gaps
between said other, aligned elements of the modules.
The building surface will usually be a roof, although the invention
can be used for other surfaces, such as walls. By using the invention, roof
modules, that is to say roof structure elements of predetermined size, may
be prefabricated to a great extent, and in association therewith the roof
shingle covcring is so arranged that it can be simply completed at the joints
between the assembled dules. The modules can be arranged as so-called
load-bearing roofing elements; i.e. a kind of structure which has inherent
stiffness, for example box constructions of plywood. When using roofing
elements of this kind, normally no roof trusses are needed. Alternatively,
the modules can be designed in the form of a base plate, for example of ply-
wood, it being arranged that the base plate has a width which is a multiple
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1064Z17
of the roof truss pitch, which means that vertical joints between adjacent
modules are located at the position of roof trusses. The dules which are
used in accordance with the invention can have a length which corresponds to -
the length of the roof pitch, although for handling reasons it may be desir~
able to design the modules which are to be arranged upon the roof trusses,
with a standard length.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments
of the present invention:
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a shingle-covered roof module
for use in the production of a roof;
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Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the two kinds of shingle elements
which are used to cover the module of FiguTe l;
Figure 2c illustrates a shingle unit which can be used to complete
the roof shingle covering at the joints between neighbouring modules;
Figure 3 schematically illustrates a simplified version of how
: the shingle covering of the roof may be finished off at a vertical joint
between two modules;
Figure 4 illustrates how the roof shingle covering may be finished
off at a horizontal joint between two assembled modules; -.
, 10 FigUre 5 illustTates how the roof covering may be finished off at
x;-~ the base of the roof;
. Figure 6 illustrates a covoring strip designed to finish off the
` roof covering at the base of the roof;
.:- Figure 7 illustrates schematically how an external roof is built
up from what are known as load-bearing modules; and
Figure 8 schematically illustrates how shingle-covered modules in
` accordance with the invention are assembled upon roof trusses.
. "
Figure 1 illustrates a roof module 1 in accordance with the inven-
` ~ tion, of width B and length L. The module 1 comprises an element 2 having
:i;, ; 20 the dimensions B x L, which is covered with roof shingle elements, 3, 4. The
.,.^.~`;:~: : single elements 4 and 3 are
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1064Z17
shown in ~igs. 2a and 2b. The elements 3 and 4 comprise a whole
number multiple Or shingle units 5 (see Fig. 2c). Each shingle
unit 5 comprises a base section 5a of width k and hei~ht s, and
a central, projecting tongue 5b of height p. In the preferred
embodiment, the tongue 5b has a width equal to k/2.
Referring to Fig. 1, the baseplate 2 is provided at the
bottom with an element 3 which is centrally arranged upon the
module 1 in such a fashion that the tops of its tonguegcoincide
with the bottom edge of the modules. An element 4 is arranged in
overlapping fashion on the bottom-most element 3 in such a way
that the tops of the tongue of the element 4, substantially
coincide with the bottom edge of the base section of the element
3. The width of the element 4 coincides wlth that of the module 1
and is also a whole number multiple n of the width k of the shingle
unit 5. A further centrally disposed element 3 is arranged over-
lapping the element 4. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the whole
module 1 is covered with overlapping alternating elements 3 and 4
in the same way shown in the bottom part of Fig. 1. If required,
the shingle covering can be terminated at the top edge of the
module in the form of an element 3 which projects beyond the top
edge of the module.
Since the element 3 has a width B-k and is centrally located
on the module, the interval between the element 3 and the lateral
edges of the module, is equal to k/2.
The length of the module 1 is a whole number multiple of
the mutual and constant overlap U of the element~, as shown in
Fig. 1. In the present case, an overlap U which i9 equal to the
tongue length t is preferred. The base section of t~ shingle,
in the normal way, has a length s which is > t, but < 2t. The
length s, can, however, be made ~ 2t.
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1064217
~ ig. 3 schematically illustrates two modules 1 which are
placed one beside the oth~r with a vertical joint 8. For reasons
of clarity, in Fig. ~ only every other shingle element has been
shown, namely the narrower shingle elements 3. To finish off the
shingle covering at the joint 8, the shingle eiement 5 is in-
serted, in the manner shown in Fig. 2c, between the elements 3,
in neighbouring modules, which are directed towards one another,
in the manner shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the shingle units 5
are inserted between adjacent rows of shingle elements 4 which
have not been shown.
Fig. 4 illustrates a horizontal joint 9 between two
adjacent modules 1. The righthand (bottom-most) module 1 has
been prefabricated using a module 3 at the top which projects
beyond the top edge of the righthand module 1. Because the ~-
two modules 1 are to be placed together, the bottom-most element
3 of the lefthand (upper) module is raised so that the shingle
coverings of the two modules are assembled together in the
correct manner when the modules 1 are placed in contact with one
` another. In order to finish off the roof shingle covering at the
joint 9, a roof shingle element 4 is inserted between the bottom-
-most shingle element 3 of the lefthand module 1 and the top-most
~ shingle element 3 of the righthand module 1.
`~ It should be clearly understood, however, that when pre-
fabricating the modules 1, it is quite possible to dispense with
arranging a projecting shingle element at the top of the module,
~ and instead of this two shingle elements 3, 4 can be inserted at
;~ the joint 9 in order to finish off the shin~l~ covering. Equally~
it should be clearly understood that it is quite possible when
prefabricating the modules to arrange a projecting shingle
element at the bottom edge of the modules.
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1064Z17
It should equally be clearly understood that when providing
the roof shingle covering on the module plate 2, it is not essenti-
al to utilize the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, with an element 3
at the bottom, but it is instead equally possible to use a re-
verse arrangement so that an element 4 is located at the bottominstead.
In cases where the module 1 has been manufactured 50 that
; the tops of the bottom-most shingle element 3 (or 4) coincide
with the bottom edge of the module plate 2, and the bottom part
of the relevant module is to do duty as the roofs base, the
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roof covering of the module can be finished off by arranging at
the very bottom of the module plate 2 a covering strip 6 pre-
ferably having a width s. If the shingle covering of the module
has the design shown in Fig. 5, then it may be a good idea to
design the strips 6 to have the width B of the module and to
lay the strip 6 at the bottom of the relevant module because the
joints between adjacent strips 6 are then located beneath the
covering tongues of the overlapping element 4. If the modules 1
are so designed that the shingle covering is terminated at the
bottom in the form of an element 4, then, if strips 6 of width
B are to be used, the strip 6 must be offset so that its ends,
that is to say the joints between adjacent strips 6, are located
(on each module) beneath the covering tongue of an overlapping
~` shingle element 3.
; 25 The module in accordance with the invention can be designed
in such a fashion that the base 2 is formed as an inherently
rigid or self-supporting structure, for example a plywood box
structure, with a length L corresponding to the pitch length of
the roof structure, so that a pitched roof (see Fig~ 7) can
simply be built up by assembling modules together in pairs. In
this case, no roof trusses are required.
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Using the roof structure shown in Fig. 7, o~ly vertical
joints 8 occur between modules 1 and in this fashion the work
involved in rinishin~ off the roof shingle covering is very con-
siderably simplified. The load-bearing module elements which
are used in the roof structure of Fig. 7 have a standard width
and this width is usually a multiple of a module size, for
example a multiple of 60 cm.
; In Fig. 8 a more conventional roof structure in which
external roof modules 1 in accordnace with the invention are
assembled on roof trusses 12 having a conventional truss interval
v (standarized interval), has been shown. The roof truss spacing
v is normally 120 cm and the width of the modules 1 is a whole
`' number multiple of v. In order to make straig~forward use of
the roof modules 1 in accordance with the invention, with varying
roof pitch lengths, it may be a good idea to design the modules 1
~ to have a standard length which will conveniently be a whole
j number multiple of some standardized module size, for example a
whole number multiple of 120 cm, the external dimensions of the
~ roof modules being chosen in such a fashion that they can easily
¦ 20 be handle~ and transported. A suitable d~mension for the roof
modules 1 which are intended to be assembled on roof trusses
~ ~5 for example B = 240 cm and L = 120 cm.
¦~ In this way the shingle units 5 (see Fig. 2c) can have a
i width k = 30 cm, a covering tongue height t = 15 cm and a base ~r
¦~ 25 section height of 25 cm. The shingle overlap should be about 30
cm. The material of which the shingles are made can have a
- thickness around 2 - 3 mm and consist of some kind of roo~ing
board, that is to say a carrier which is covered with a bitumi-
nous material which is in turn possibly coated with coloured sand.
~- 30 Although the embodiment of a roof module offered by way
1064~17
Or example in accordance with the invention illustrates the
application of shingle elements 3 and 4 each comprising 3 and 4
"units" 5 respectively, it should be clearly understood that
the elements 3 and 4 can comprise an arbitrary number Or units
5 as long as the indicated relationship between elements 3 and 4
is maintained.
It should equally be clearly understood that the elements
3 and 4 need not of course consist of a cohesive material but
could just as well be constituted by two or more shorter
elements or units 5.
It should also be fully realized that the illustrated
shingle unit 5 can be replaced by shingle units of different
shape. The present claim, however, is based upon the fact that
~,t ,' ~ the covering tongue of the shingle unit is centrally located
on the base section of the unit and has a sufficient width to
cover an underlying joint although being less than the width
of the base section of the unit.
In the foregoing, the term "shinge unit" has been used to
1. . - . .
~ describe a shingle of the kind shown in Fig. 2c. It should be
} 20 realised, however, that in the manufacture Or the module 1 the
shingle covering need only extend to part of the width of the
module and it may therefore be convenient, at the vertical ~ ~ `
joints between adjacent modules, to insert shingle elements of
suitable width instead of a plurality of units.
Consequently, in the present context the expression ~shingle
unit" should also be understood as referring to the ~hingle
element which covers the ~ap between shingle element roWs Or the
same kind, facing towards one another, in two adjacent modules.
In a preferred embodiment, a shingle element 4 has the same
width as the module 1 which means that no gap ocours between the
106g217
elements 4 of adjacent modules 1. It is furthermore a preferred
feature of the invention that the element 3 has a width B-k so
that the gap between elements 3 becomes k.
Considering the embodiment of the invention in which modules
are placed together with a horizontal joint, the arrangement of
the shingle ~lements must be coordinated with the module length L
so that the shingle covering of the roof acquires a uniform
appearance.
Referring to Fig. 1 and 2a, consequently, a~ongst other
things the following relationships will conveniently be adopted:
L = nl U; s+t = p + U
where nl is a whole number constant;
p is the overlap between elements, and
U is the mutal stagger between elements
considered in the longitudinal direction
of the module.
Making reference to Fig. 1 it should be understood 'hat
when producing the roof shingle covering of the module 1, it may
be a good idea to use only one kind of shingle element, such as
the type 3. This would mean the discarding of the ri~hthand end
unit of each element 4 (see Fig. 1).
In the manufacture of roofs in accordance with the invention
at the roof ridge the roof covering should be completed by means
of a full ridge strip or the like. The ridge strip will convenient-
ly consist of the same material as the roof shingles and it should
f have such a width that the joints between adjacent shingle
; elements in the topmost shingle rows, are covered by it.
In the manufacture of roofs or modules in accordance with
the invention, shingles should be available which have sizes
f`~- 30 matching the current size standards. The shingle units can thus
106~Z17
~or example have widths of k = 60, 30 or 15 cm and tongue lengths
t = 30, 15 or 7.5 cm, the width of the tongue preferably being
made equal to their length t. The shingle units and shingle
elements can be made of strip material having a width 2s~t (or a
whole number multiple thereof), a strip of 2s+t being cut central-
ly along a "squarewave line", to form the shingle tongues. In the
transverse direction, the halves of the strip can be cut off or
printed with cut markings at suitable locations, so that shingle
elements and joint shingles of requisi~e format can be obtained.
Alternatively, the shingle strip can be provided with colour
markings or the like salong which the strip can be cut to form
shingle elements 3, 4 and joint shingles 5.
In a situation where the shingles are manufactured in
strip form, they can be wound up into coils which are simpler -
` 15 to handle, transport and pack. In so doin~, the shingle strips
can be laid in such a fashion that the tongues of one locate in
the tongue gaps of the other, ~iving the coils the form of right
; cylinders.
In the situation where the shingle strips are cut to form
shingle elements of the desired length, the elements can be
~~ assembled in stacks of similar kinds and the tongues of one
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~ stack inserted into the tongue intervals of another so that a ~-
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substant~ly rectangular packing can be formed from two stacks.
The shingle material will conveniently be provided in a manner
known per se with adhesive surfaces protected by so-called
`~ release paper. The adhesive surfaces can be aontinuous along
~!~ the whole or parts of the shingle elements and/or may be arranged
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at suitable areas on one or both sides of the shingle units 5
and shingle elements 3, 4.
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