IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC SHINGLES FOR ROOFING PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Wardwell Shepard, of Brooklyn, New York,
United States of America, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN METALLIC SHINGLES FOR ROOFING PURPOSES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Wardwell Shepard at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd September 1878.
HENRY WARDWELL SHEPARD, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC SHINGLES FOR ROOFING PURPOSES."
I am aware that metallic shingles for roofing purposes have been made of both
cast and sheet metal, and that the latter have been formed diamond pointed with a
central longitudinal groove and raised sides. My improved shingle is also made with
a central grove, raised sides, and a diamond or tapering point; but my Invention
consists,―
First. In transversely slitting the shingles near the obtuse angles, and thus pro-
viding tongues to overlap and hold down the point of the shingles in the next course
above.
Second. In forming hollow ribs along the inclined edges of the shingles for the
purpose of assisting in stiffening and holding down their pointed ends.
Third. In forming slightly smaller ribs in a reverse direction from each of the
slits near the obtuse corners of the shingles diagonally upward, the object of these
ribs being to enter the grooves on the inclined edges of overlapping shingles, and
thus preventing rain or snow driving upwards between the courses, and also giving
additional stiffness to the shingles.
Fourth. In forming a curved groove from the upper end of the groove on the
inclined edges towards the central rib for the purpose of stiffening the shingles,
rendering them more ornamental, and taking up any surplus metal that may arise
in stamping.
Fifth. In depressing the upper surface of the metal at the points which enter tho.
slits or notches at the obtuse angles by which a better fit is secured to the shingles
on the roof, while the depression forms a guide in placing the shingles.

page_text: Sixth. In leaving the upper part of the sides flat, while the other portion is raised,
which construction keeps the raised side sufficiently apart when the shingles are
placed upon the roof.
And, Seventh. In forming tho under side of the shingles concave in the direc-
tion of their length for the purpose of making the points adhere closely to the
under shingles.
Figure 1 is a top view of a shingle made according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line y, v. Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a longitudiral central section of the said shingle.
These shingles are provided with central grooves or corrugations A, and have
their parallel edges B, B, turned upward, so that the adjacent edges of two shingles
enter the longitudinal groove on the under side of the corrugation A in the over-
lapping shingle.
The transverse slits C are formed on either side of the shingle and the metal below
the slit is sprung upward to allow the point D of the overlapping shingle to pass
under it. The metal thus sprung upward forms the pointed tongue a which laps
over the lower corners of the pointed end D of the overlapping shingle on either
side of the lower end of the contral rib A.
The hollow ribs or corrugations E, E, are formed along the inclined edges of each
shingle. These ribs terminate at their lower ends a short distanco above the point
of the shingles, and leave the edges of the inclines slightly lower than the undor
side of the shingles in order to make edges fit closely upon the shingles in the lower
course. This object might be obtained by simply turning down the edges of the
inclines, but the hollow ribs give the shingles a more sightly appearance, and they
are intended to receive the ribs F, F, in the two underlying shingles upon which
the pointed end of such shingle rests.
The ribs F, F, as shown, extend inward and upward from the obtuse corners of
the shingles, and are adapted by their direction and dimensions to fill the under
side of the hollow ribs E, E. The ribs F, F, by preference have extensions b, b,
forming an elbow with the main ribs. The ribs F, F, in one course of shingles
fitting into the hollow ribs E of the succeeding course tends to prevent rain or
snow being driven upward botwcon the corners, and the extensions b, b, are for the
purpose of more perfectly preventing their entrance.
.
The hollow ribs G, G, pro an extension of the ribs E, F, and they may be some-
what varied in form and direction, as their chief objects are to stiffen the shingles
and to improve their appearance when laid on the roof.
The pointed onds D of the shingles aro depressed when the shingles are stamped
about the thickness of the metal or somewhat more. The depressed portion passes
into the slits O and under the tongue a. This depression much improves tho fit of
the shingles, and consequently the appearance of the roof, and it also forms a guido
in laying the shingle. The depressed portion is passed under the tongue a, and when
the shoulder c strikes against the tongue a, the nail holes d in the top and bottom
shingles aro in n line.
The upper part of the edges B, B, have a fiat portion e, e, which form a guido
Interally as the depressed portion of the point forms a guide vertically, so that the
shingles may be secured on the roof with great facility.
The shingles are formed concave on their under side in the direction of their
length with a corresponding convexity upon their upper side. This form is given
to the shingles in stainping, and the chief advantage is to make the pointed end of
the shingle fit closely upon the lower course.
These shingles may be painted, galvanized, or otherwise protected from oixdation,
and when properly prepared they will prove very durable. They are not easily.

page_text: displaced, and this covering for a roof is much lighter than slate er tiles. In case of
fire these shingles possess great advantago over wooden shingles, slate, or earthen
tiles.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Wardwell Shepard, have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal, this Seventeenth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.