Abstract:
A roof shingle alignment system employs three separate types of line bar tools for setting aligned chalklines. The first line bar is used to strike chalklines vertically on roof surfaces and for setting the starter horizontal chalkline. The second line bar is placed on the starter chalkline and is used to strike horizontal chalklines across the roof surface. A third line bar is configured to be placed on the peak of the roof for setting horizontal chalklines near the roof&#39;s ridge for cutout and hip cap lines.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   An important, initial step in the installation of roofing shingles or tiles, but one which is difficult and time consuming for the roofer, is the proper alignment of the shingles on the roof surface. The shingled roof of a house or like structure is normally readily observable. As a result, shingles which are properly and evenly aligned provide a positive appearance and indicate quality in the overall workmanship of the structure. However, laying shingles remains a manual, labor intensive process. Normally the roofer must first measure, place guidelines and then position and nail each individual shingle to the roof surface before laying the next shingle in sequence. The slant and height of the roof makes alignment and attachment even more difficult. Measurement for guidelines is awkward and may be inaccurate. Placement of chalklines, for instance, requires hand measured marks, whose accuracy may be suspect. Shingles must then be held by hand in the proper aligned position, so they do not slip out of position before attachment. 
   There have been a number of prior techniques which purport to assist the roofer in the shingle alignment/attachment process; however, none of these result in the ease and efficiency of use and accuracy which is necessary to accomplish properly aligned shingle installation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to address the limitations and disadvantages of prior roof shingle alignment systems and techniques. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof shingle alignment system which allows the roofer to easily, quickly, and accurately set alignment guidelines on roof surfaces. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a roof shingle alignment system which is designed to be used efficiently to save time and material. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a roof shingle alignment system which uses lightweight and portable tools to set alignment guides. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roof shingle alignment system which employs line bar tools specifically configured for placement on roof surfaces to create the required, properly aligned chalklines for positioning shingles. 
   These and additional objects are accomplished by the present invention, a roof shingle alignment system which comprises three separate types of line bar tools for setting aligned chalklines. The first line bar is used to strike chalklines vertically on roof surfaces and for setting the starter horizontal chalkline on the roof surface. The second line bar is placed on the starter chalkline and is used to strike horizontal chalklines across the roof surface. A third line bar is configured to be placed on the peak of the roof for setting horizontal chalklines near the roof&#39;s ridge for cutout and hip cap lines. 
   The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention, showing representative placement on a roof surface. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of one tool of the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the second tool of the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the third tool of the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view showing movement of the adjustable pins of the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The roof shingle alignment system of the present invention comprises two vertical/starter line bars  2 , two horizontal line bars  4 , and two cap and ridge line bar  6 . One of each of these tools is shown in detail in  FIGS. 2-4 . Bar  2  comprises elongated bar section  10  and angle bar section  12  secured perpendicularly to bar section  10  at its end  9 . It is anticipated that bar section  10  will be approximately 38 inches long by 1½ inches wide. However, the invention is not to be considered restricted to these dimensions. Bar section  10  can be designed in any convenient size, including metric dimensions, based on need and usage. 
   Bar section  10  comprises a plurality of through openings  14  in which chalkline pins  16 , with mid-sections  17 , upper caps  18  and lower caps  19 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 , are positioned. Chalkline pins  16  are sized to slide up and down within openings  14  of bar  2 . When bar  2  is placed on a roof surface, pins  16  are pushed upward, with their respective upper caps  18  raised above the top surface of the bar and their lower caps  19  being flush against the bottom surface of the bar. Pins  16  are spaced in accordance with the appropriate, recognized measured distances of standard shingles. But again, the invention is not to be considered limited to this spacing between pins  16 . Pins  16  may be positioned for any shingle or tile laying configuration or distance as may be needed. 
   Bar section  10  also comprises at least two nail slots  20 . Slots  20  have small section  22  and larger section  24 . Section  22  is configured to accept a headed nail hammered into a roof surface to secure bar  2 . Section  24  has a larger diameter than the diameter of the head of the nail to be used. To detach bar  2  from the roof surface, end  11  of the bar is tapped. This shifts bar  2  and its slots  20  laterally. The nail, once positioned within section  22 , is now within section  24 . Since the head of the nail is smaller than section  24 , bar  2  is no longer secured and can be lifted off the roof surface. 
   Bar  4  comprises elongated bar section  30 . It is anticipated that bar section  30  will be approximately 42 inches long by 1½ inches wide. However, once again the invention is not to be considered restricted to these dimensions. Bar section  10  can be designed in any convenient size, including metric dimensions, based on need and usage. 
   Bar section  10  comprises a plurality of spaced chalkline pins  32  within openings  34 . Pins  32  slide up and down within openings  34  in the same manner as has previously been described with respect to pins  16 . Also as has been described with respect to pins  16 , the spacing between pins  32  is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Bar  4  can be sized with any standard shingle spacing measurement or other desired spacing. 
   Connected at ends  36  and  38  of bar  4  are bifold hinges  40  and  42 , respectively. Hinges  40  and  42  comprise main body sections  44  and  46  which rotate about ends  36  and  38  at hinge sections  48  and  49 . Nail slots  50  in main body sections  44  and  46  are provided to secure bar  4  on a roof surface and, like slots  20  described with regard to bar  2 , are configured to accept hammered headed nails. With a tap on the sides of main body sections  44  and  46 , bar  4  is released from its nailed attachment to the roof surface. 
   Bar  6  comprises lateral bar sections  60  and  62  interconnected by center hinge  64 , which permits the bar sections to go from a flat to an angled configuration for placement over the peak of a roof. It is anticipated that lateral bar sections  60  and  62  will each be approximately 7 inches long and 1½ inches wide. The invention is not to be considered restricted to the size of bar  6 , as previously described with respect to bars  2  and  4 . 
   Bar  6  comprises chalkline pins  66 ,  67 , and  68  which slide up and down within their respective openings in the same manner as has previously been described with respect to pins  16  and  32 . End pins  66  are to be spaced 6 inches from center hinge  64 , so as to provide hip cap guidelines. Pins  67  are to be spaced 1 inch and pins  68  are to be spaced 1¾ inch so as to provide ridge vent cutout guidelines. Nail slots  70 , like slots  20  previously described, are provided in bar sections  60  and  62 . 
   The roof shingle alignment system of the present invention is used as follows to properly, quickly, and efficiently align shingles. As seen in  FIG. 1 , one vertical/starter line bar  2   a  is placed on roof  80  near roof peak  82 , such that its angle bar section  12   a  is mounted over roof edge  84 . Chalkline pins  16   a  are compelled upward and extend from the top surface of bar section  10   a . Bar  2   a  is then nailed to roof  80  through nail slots  20   a . Bar section  10   a  is thus positioned perpendicular to edge  84  and parallel to roof peak  82 . A second vertical/starter line bar  2   b  is placed on roof  80  nearer its bottom edge  86 , such that its angle bar section  12   b  is mounted over roof edge  84 . Chalkline pins  16   b  are compelled upward from the top surface of bar section  10   b . Bar  2   b  is also nailed to roof  80  through nail slots  20   b . Bar section  10   b  thus is also positioned perpendicular to roof edge and it is parallel to bar section  10   a . Chalkline  90  is then extended and tied or otherwise attached between upstanding chalk pins  16   a  and  16   b  at the appropriate vertically pre-measured, shingle spaced distances. Parallel chalklines, for instance  91  and  92 , are similarly positioned and secured between chalkline pins located within bars  2   a  and  2   b . Chalklines  90 - 92  are then snapped, producing vertical chalk guidelines on roof  80 , allowing for the accurate vertical alignment of shingles. 
   The accurate layout of horizontal chalk guidelines is accomplished by placing bars  2   a  and  2   b  parallel to each other in spaced relation on roof bottom edge  86 , such that their respective angle bar sections  12   a  and  12   b  are hooked over the edge, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Chalkline  93  is then extended between bars  2   a  and  2   b  and attached at chalkline pins  16   a  and  16   b . Chalkline  93  is snapped to produce starter horizontal guideline at  93 . For illustrative purposes only, bar  2   b  is shown a distance inboard of roof edge  85 . In use, bar  2   b  would be positioned closer to edge  85 , such that guideline  93  extends substantially to the end of roof  80 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , one horizontal line bar  4   a  is then positioned such that its bifold hinge  40   a  is on guideline  92 . Chalkline pins  32   a  are compelled upward and extend from the top surface of bar section  30   a . Bifold hinges  40   a  and  42   a  are nailed to roof  80 , through their nail slots. Another horizontal line bar  4   b  is positioned on guideline  93  closer to roof edge  85 , in spaced relation to bar  4   a , such that its bifold hinge  40   b  is on guideline  93 . Chalkline pins  32   b  are pushed upward and extend from the top surface of bar  4   b . Bifold hinges  40   b  and  42   b  are also nailed to roof  80  through their nail slots. Chalkline  96  is then extended and tied or otherwise attached between upstanding chalkline pins  32   a  and  32   b  at the appropriate horizontally, pre-measured shingle spaced distance. Parallel chalklines, for instance  97  and  98 , are similarly positioned and secured between chalkline pins located within bars  4   a  and  4   b . Chalklines  96 - 98  are then snapped, producing horizontal chalk guidelines on roof  80 , allowing for the accurate horizontal alignment of shingles at the lower section of the roof. 
   After the initial set of horizontal chalk guidelines are struck between bars  4   a  and  4   b , hinges  40   a  and  40   b  are removed from their nail attachments and bar sections  30   a  and  30   b  are rotated around nailed bifold hinges  42   a  and  42   b , until they come to rest on roof  80 , above these hinges. Since chalkline pins  32   a  and  32   b  are slideably moveable up and down within their respective openings in bar sections  30   a  and  30   b , they are now pushed up and extend outwardly from the new top surfaces of the bar sections. New chalklines  99  and  100  are next secured between chalkline pins  32   a  and  32   b  and laddered chalk alignment lines are created as previously described. It is evident that this process of creating horizontal guidelines for proper horizontal shingle alignment by positioning bars  4   a  and  4   b  and rotating their bar sections  30   a  and  30   b  about bifold hinges  40   a ,  42   a ,  40   b  and  42   b , continues for the entire width of roof  80 . 
   Bar  6  is used for creating properly aligned hip cap lines and ridge cut out lines. One bar  6   a  is placed over roof peak  82  of roof  80  such that its center hinge  64   a  is over the peak and its lateral bar sections, one of which  60   a , is shown in  FIG. 4 , straddle the upper regions of the roof. Bar  6   a  is nailed to roof  80  through its nail slots. Second bar  6   b  is similarly placed closer to edge  85  of roof  80 , in spaced relation to bar  6   a , with its center hinge  64   b  over roof peak  82  and its lateral bar sections, one of which,  60   b , is shown in  FIG. 4 , straddling the upper regions of the roof. Horizontal chalklines  97  and  99  are extended between the chalkline pins of bars  6   a  and  6   b  and chalklines are created as previously described, this time denoting hip cap and ridge cut out lines. 
   Coordinated use of bar members  2 ,  4 , and  6 , making up the roof shingle alignment system of the present invention, results in the roofer being able to quickly and accurately create a comprehensive series of chalkline guides prior to beginning the actual shingle roofing installation. This saves an inordinate amount of time, ensures for precision in installation, produces less material waste, and enhances the overall appearance of the job. 
   Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.