Improvements in Roofing Tiles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1891
UUMILELE OF ECIFICATIOUN.
Improvements in Roofing Tiles.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM. GREEN, of Boroughbridge, in the County of York, Brick
and Tile Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to improvements in what are known as French
roofing tiles, and has for object the production of such tiles in terra-cotta in a
superior style and at a moderate cost compared with tiles as usually made and with
other roof coverings, while by their use they maintain buildings at a more equable
temperature in all seasons' than if covered with blue slates or others of a like
nature.
In the annexed drawings,
Fig. 1. is a top or outside view, Fig. 2. an end view, Fig. 3. an underside view of
the improved French tile a, according to my invention.
Fig. 4. shows a few, of such tiles, to a smaller scale as they appear in position
upon a roof.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the views.
The material used in the manufacture of these tiles, is the finest selected clay,
winter tempered. This is pressed through a die having a configuration corre-
sponding to the end view or cross-section of the required tile, and when a certain
length has passed through the said die it is cut off to the required length and the
corners b, and c also cut off to proper form which may be by certain parts of the
pressing machine or otherwise. A semi-circular or other equivalent form of
groove d, for preventing water, which may accumulate or become blown between
the overlapped portions of the tiles, from running or passing backward over the
head of the undertile, is impressed or cut near the upper end or head of the tiles
by a suitable instrument in connection with the said press or otherwise.
French tiles as heretofore manufactured by me have been provided with a fillet
or ribe, on the upper side thereof, and being formed the whole length of it as it
issues from the press, part of which at its upper end is removed to permit of a
succeeding course of tiles to lay flat upon a previously laid course, while the
upper end of the remaining part of said fillet acts as a guide or gauge for the
position of the said succeeding course.
My present, improvement consists in making the above described fillet or rib e,
somewhat broader than heretofore and of channel form as shewn at e', which not
only acts as a duplex preventive against snow or rain passing under the over-
banging lip, of an adjoining tile in the same course, but by means of its channel
form it also acts as a conductor of water accumulating in the aforesaid groove d,
above referred to, one end of such groove terminating at the commencement of said
channel and the other end at the opposite side and flat part of the tile.
When the tiles are used for dormer windows or very exposed situations, I
provide for additional security, holes g, g, for nails, staples or other suitable means
of fastening.
While the tiles as above described are in a plastic or semi-plastic state, the
"nib", by which they hang on the roofing laths or timbers, is luted on the
underside of each and the uppermost or outside surface which is exposed to
the weather, is hand washed in order to bring the finest portions of the clay thereto
so as to render the tiles when fired practically impervious to moisture and
imperishable.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The improved French roofing tile with the channelled rib or fillet e, substantially
as described and shown for the purposes specified:
Dated this 8th day of July 1891.
JOSEPH WILLIAM GREEN.
Witness:
THO8. E. CRAVEN,
24, Victoria Chambers, Leeds, Patent Agent.