Improvements in Roofing and Wall or Hanging Tiles and in Dies and Gear of Presses for Moulding and Pressing Tiles of these Descriptions.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1888
. Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Feb., 1889
Improvements in Roofing and Wall or Hanging Tiles and in Dies
and Gear of Presses for Moulding and Pressing Tiles of these
Descriptions.
GEORGE MINGAY GARRARD of 13, Princes Court Great George Street in the City
of Westminster Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention has reference to Roofing and Wall or Hanging Tiles and consists in
improvements in certain descriptions of Tiles generally included in the manufacture
of, and used in conjunction with the class of Tiles known as the Broseley, or Plain
Pattern of Tile, and also in improvements in Broseley or plain Tile proper; and in
order to produce certain of these Improved Tiles in a more perfect manner, and in
some cases at a lower cost, I also according to my Invention improve the construction
of Dies for the manufacture of the same. I also in order to obtain more perfect nibs
and to otherwise improve the make of the ordinary Broseloy or plain Tile proper
make Improved Dies for the same; I also make Dies for Ridge Tiles so that the latter
Tiles may also be produced in a more perfect manner than hitherto.
Referring to Tiles that are known as Hip Tiles and Valley Tiles, such as are made
and used, in conjunction with the plain or Broseley pattern of Tile, for the outer and
inner angles of Roofs, respectively, I, in order to simplify the manufacture of these
Tiles, and for general convenience, make a Tile that may be used either as a Hip or a
Valley. For these purposes, I make the Tile as regards its shape and outline similar,
or as nearly so as may be convenient, to Hip Tiles as now generally made. This Tile
when used inverted, and turned up end down, serves as a Valley Tile. But Hip Tiles
require a hole at the smaller, or upper end, for the purpose of nailing them to tho
Laths or rafters of the roof, whereas such a hole would render the Tile unfit to be
used as a Valley Tile, it having to be inverted and turned small end downwards when
used in the latter capacity. Now in order to overcome this difficulty, instead of
punching the nail hole quite through the end of the Tile, as for a Hip Tile, I make in
the Tile, by preference in its green state, a depression or a hole, made part of the way

page_text: as a
only, through the Tile, or what I term a blind hole, from what is, its outer or upper
side, when applied as a Elip, so that when inverted and applied as a Valley, there will
be no depression or hole on the other, or outer or upper side, when used in the latter
capacity. The tile is subsequently burnt, and can then be sent away and used either
Hip or a Valley. To use it as a Hip all that is necessary is to complete the nail
hole by punching the same completely through which may be done in the act of
driving the nail, in mailing the Tile to the roof; or it may be done by hand
by the manufacturer, according to the exigencies of his orders, or by the customer,
to whom it will also be a great convenience by his not having to make any
distinction in ordering between Hips and Valleys. The blind hole or depression
I make of any convenient depth short of being made quite through the file, and
leaving such thickness of material, as may be easily punched through in the manner
described. The blind hole or depression may be made by hand, but for the sake of
uniformity and exactitude in regulating the depth of the hole or depression, as well as for
the sake of producing an article of better quality, I prefer to make or finish & press the
same by means of Dies, similar to those forming a part of my patent No. 7311 of
1885 but for these purposes I make the apparatus, there described, for piercing or
punching the nail hole; (consisting of a flat bar with vertical pin, situated at the
smaller end of the Die Box) with a pin which enters the lifting plate or lever die
only, and of such a length, that it only projects above the surface of the lifting plate
or lower die, to the height required to form the blind hole or depression before
described, instead of making it as in my aforesaid patent to enter the top die, and so
punch a through hole in the Tile; and I consequently use a plain die for a top die
that is, without the hole for the piercing pin, as shewn and described in my aforesaid
patent. But may form the blind hole or depression by a simple pin or boss on
the upper surface of the lower die or lifting plate.
he con-
In order to enable Hip Tiles to be more efficiently secured on the roof than at
present, I, in some cases, prefer to make a special form of Hip Tile as follows:-
referring to the upper end of the Hip, as laid on the roof, I make the same with a
flange on its under side, for the purpose of gripping the laths of the roof. This
flange I make, by preference, angular so as to correspond with the angle made by the
upper edges of the Laths where they meet at the hip line. This flange may
tinuous, or it may be broken up into any convenient number of nibs; or it may
take the form of a central nib, or of a flange on one side only of the centre of the
tile; or of any convenient projection, so long as it serves to grip the angle or angular
lines formed by the upper edges of the laths of the two sides of the roof where they
meet at the Hip line. But in general I may however prefer to prolong the upper
end of the Hip Tile, stepping it down, say, to the extent of the thickness of the tile, or
other convenient depth; the line of stepping of which in a plan view may, by pre-
ference, be made angular, so as to form a flange gripping and fitting the angle formed
by the edges of the laths at or near their junction as aforesaid. This prolongation
may be termed a continuation of the tile beyond the flange first mentioned, at a lower
level or plane.
This flanging projection may resemble a small or diminutive Hip
Tile, added to the point of the hip and stepped down so as to approach or as near as
is practicable or desirable to touch the Hip rafter. In this Hanging continuation
or projection I make the hole for nailing the tile to the roof. Thus the
nail may be driven directly into the rafter and above the upper edges of the laths.
In addition to this nail hole, I may also prefer in some cases in order to give
still greater security to the Tile, make a second nail hole below the flanging
continuation, say in line with the nail holes, or thereabouts, of the adjoining plain
tiles. For use at the caves of roof's, I may make the Hip Tile with a flange at its
bottom edge to match the over caves tiles to be described later on. The Hip Tiles as
just described, with flange, nib, or nibs, or flanging projection, may be made by hand;
but for the sake of uniformity and in order to produce an article of hetter quality,
and at a cheaper cost, I prefer to form, or to complete the forming, and to press these
Hip Tiles by means of Dies similar to those described in my before recited patent,
but for the aforesaid purposes I when necessary prolong the smaller or upper end of

page_text: such dies;
and in any case I form, at that end of the dies, the die surfaces in such a
manner as to mould or form or finish and press the Hip tilo with its flange, nib or
nibs, or flanging continuation as the case may be as before described. In case of the
flange, nibs or nib, a corresponding recess is made in the top die; and in the case of
the flanging projection a corresponding recess is made in this case also in the top die
and the upper surface of the bottom die is by preference stepped up so as to keep or
nearly so as may be desired the thickness of the tile uniform. In dies for Hips made
with the flanging continuation, I arrange the piercing or holing pin apparatus, so as
to pierce the Nail Hole in tho flanging continuation. When making the Tile-with
two Nail Holes I construct the dies with two Holing pins, the second holing pin
apparatus being so placed as to punch the hole below the flanging continuation of
the tile.
3
In laying Plain or Broseley tiles it happens particularly when using Tiles of
different colours (the size of tiles varying slightly with their colours and hardness),
that owing to the varying widths in the tiles, the rows of tiles do not always perfectly break
joint with each other, and in order to correct this variation or to make up a row of
tiles morò exactly to a certain length, strips or parts of a tile, divided lengthways,
humoured" by somo
are employed to fit in between the tiles; or the joints are
being left more open. These are parallel strips, and in consequence it happens that
when the space or distance to be made up does not correspond exactly with the
width of strip at hand the making up of the space is imperfectly performed. To
remedy this and to save cutting Tiles I make these strips or matching pieces in
two parts with one side of such wedged shaped, so that when laid together with the
small end of one half, next the large end of the other, and with their obliquo surfacos
next to each other, the outer edges will be parallel; and so that when one part is
moved up or down, or when both parts are inoved in contrary directions, the parallel
edges of the pair of Tiles will be wider apart or narrower, as, the case may be, and
thus accommodate themselves to the exact width required to be filled in or made up.
I may prefer to make these longer than ordinary tiles, or one longer than the other.
In applying these strips, it may generally happen that the small end of one of this
pair of tiles or strips, at the bottom edge of the row of tiles, will in adjustment, project
below such edge, and this projection I may cut off to preserve the oven edge of the
row of tiles; for which purpose the tile may be nicked at intervals, so as to be easily
cut. One or both of the pair may have nail holes or nibs or they may have both.
I may in some cases prefer to effect the same end by using an ordinary tile with
one bevelled or wedged side (or even a Hip or a Valley with wedged or bevelled sides)
in conjunction with one of a pair of such half and semi wedged shaped strips as last
described; or 1 may employ two ordinary tiles each with one edged or bevelled side
with a strip having both sides or edges wedged shaped between them, or any
combination or number of wedged shaped tiles or parts of tiles, by which a parallel
space can be made up according to width as desired, by a longitudinal movement of
any part or parts. To prevent water unduly entering the oblique joints groves may
be formed above the same or the body of the tile or tiles may be slightly sunk
leaving a slight ridge above the joint.
By this means tiles can be laid throughout without any wide joints and a want
of perfect break of joint may be corrected at such intervals as may be necessary.
Tiles of the plain or Broseley pattern are usually laid two thick at the caves of
Roofs, the one underneath being terined the under eaves tile or eaves proper, which tile
is shorter than ordinary tiles whilst the upper tile at the eaves is an ordinary sized tile.
To make the two eave tiles more compact when laid, and to prevent or lessen the
chance of disturbance from wind or other causes, as well as to improve the appearance
of the same and to obtain a better, drip for the water, mako the upper or over
cave Tile, with a flange on its under side at the bottom edge, which flange I
ay make of a convenient depth so that it may conceal the edge of the under
cave tile.
I may make the upper end of the over cave tile either with nibs or nail
holes, or both, or with a flange instead of nibs and the top of under eave tile may be
made in a similar manner, or it may depend on. retaining its position entirely on the

page_text: lower flange of the over cave tile. I may make the over eave tile at the gable end of
the roof to correspond with the gable Tiles to be described later on. To give the
proper pitch or inclination of the tiles I may in some cases make the under cave
thicker at the bottom than at the top, the extra thickness at the bottom being
regulated by the pitch required to be given to the tiles of the roof. Instead of
making this solid I may recess it at the under side leaving side and bottom flanges so
that the thickness of material may be more uniform. In this arrangement the lower
flange of the upper tile may be made deep enough to conceal the edge of the under
cave or it may be shallower and "rabbetted" into an offset notch on the latter so that
if preferred the thickness of the over eave and the under eave at the eaves may be
uniform or as nearly so as may be convenient. I prefer to finish and press these
tiles in dies, although they may be made by hand. In dies for this purpose I prefer
to form the projection for forming or finishing the recess on the under side of the tile
on the top die, but I may in some cases place this projection on the bottom die.
Otherwise the Dies resemble those used for ordinary tiles.
At the gable ends of roofs the roof edge is (in order to break joint and to render
the edging more compact and at the same time to finish the edge off evenly) laid with
every other tile wider by the width of half a tile than the intervening ordinary tiles and
these are termed gable tiles. Sometimes however the same ends are attained but less
perfectly by the use alternately of an ordinary tile and a half tile. In order to bind
the gable edges better together than heretofore to lessen the chance of disturbance
from wind or other causes and to render " pointing "these edges with mortar or
cement unnecessary and also to improve the appearance of gable edges, I construct a
gable tile with a flange on its upper side and continued from its upper end down-
wards to such a length as the tile laid immediately over it extends, or thereabouts;
and on the under side I construct another flange commencing at a distance from the
lower end of the tile equal to what is known as the "lap" of the tilo or thereabouts, i.e.
the distance that the third tile overlaps the first tile, and continued upwards for such
distance that the flange will underlap the flange on the upper side of the gable to the
extent of the "lap" of the Tiles or thereabouts. In carrying out this f may make
the gable tile wider than usual to the extent of the width of the flanges and the
flanges of such depth as will hide the ends or rather sides of the intermediate tiles and
the Hanges may taper in depth. A gable edge will thus present the same outline both
as regards the upper and under sides of the tiles or approximately so as usual but the
interstices which it is now usual to point with mortar or cement will be invisible.
But I do not limit myself to an exact arrangement of the flanges as I may in some cases
make the top flange extend further or all the way down and the under flange may be
extended upwards in a similar manner. In some cases I may apply these flanges to a
tile of the ordinary width making it wider by the extent of the width of the flanges
and use half tiles as intermediate tiles. In finishing the improved gable or Tile, I
may prefer to employ Dies so as to press the same and for this purpose I provide in
the top and bottom Dies, recesses for forming the said flanges-the Dies otherwise
being in general similar to those used for plain or non-flanged gable tiles of the
Broseley pattern to which latter the improved gable or tile especially relates.
In pressing Broseley or plain pattern of Tile the nibs of the tile are formed by
recesses cut or formed in the top die at one end, the inside edges of which form or
mould the inside or gripping edges of the nibs, and a consequence of this arrangement
is that the inside edges or corners of the recesses are subject to clogging by particles
of clay or dirt, and imperfect edges are given to the nibs where they grip the laths
of the roofs. To overcome this difficulty, and in order to obtain an improved shape of
nib having a curved back, which it is practically difficult to obtain when the nibs
are formed in the top die, I press the Tile with the nibs downwards and form the nibs
partly in the bottom die and partly in the die box and 1 do this by forming in the
bottom die at one end open vertical notches to suit the width and number of the nibs,
and I form at the end of the Die box corresponding vertical projections and to form
spaces for the nibs to be formed in, I, in effect, cut away, or I stop short the projections
at a distance downwards from the top surface of the bottom die equal to the depth of

page_text: the nib, and to form a round backed nib I round the projections at that point upwards.
If cut off square as I may in some cases do, the nibs will he square. This arrange-
ment and construction is applicable to dies in ordinary use and also to the Invertible
Dies for which a Patent No. 7311 of 1885 has been granted to me. In the latter.
case the projections are stopped short both at their top and bottom ends to suit the
inversion of the Die Box. In cases where it is desired to make a continuous nib or
flange the bottom die is made plain and shorter than the box by the extent of the
thickness of the continuous nib, and the projections on the box assumes the form of
one continuous-projection.---In-my-aforesaid Patent Invertible Dies, it being very
important to keep tiles uniform in width I may keep the top. die plate, and the top
plate of bottom plate or die'up to width when worn, by attaching plates to one side
of them only, at the same time keeping the dies central with the centre of the Press-
instead of at both sides as heretofore necessary. I do this by providing transverse slots
in lieu of round holes in top part of the top die and in the lower plate of the bottom
plate a die, for the studs and screws by which the die plates proper are attached to the
same. By pressing the tile nibs downwards as before described the gripping edges
are formed at the working faces of the recesses of the bottom die or plate and the
projections of the Box, and in the case of the continuous nib or flange its gripping
edge is formed at the working faces of the bottom die and of the box projection by
which means the corners or angles forming the gripping edges of the nibs or the
gripping edge of the continuous nib, will be kept free of particles of clay or dirt, and
the edge of the nibs sharp and more perfect and the flow of clay to the nibs will be
freer than when the latter are formed in the top die. This arrangement or construction
also affords a means of expelling the air which is also a source of imperfect nibs at
present. To provide for the expulsion of air from the Die Box so as to get more
pressure and a more perfect tile and also to cheapen the cost of the Die Box, I may
"chamber" the lower portion of the same and I may make it more or less open at its
sides and at one or both ends. In applying this chambering to the Invertible Dies of
my before recited Patent I chamber the middle portion of the Die Box only, making
it by preference more or less open at its sides and ends, or at its sides and one end.
This chambering will in the case of my aforesaid patent Dies at the same time reduce
the rubbing and wear at the bottom edge of the top plato of the lifting plate or die
preserving such edge more perfectly for the purpose of inversion.
Referring to Ridge Tiles used at the Ridges of Roofs some patterns of which are
also used as Hip Tiles, when they may be termed Hip Ridges, I improve the finish
and quality of these by pressing them in Dies. In order to effect this I construct and
arrange Dies as follows:-The Ridge or Hip ridge is pressed with its wing edges
upwards or upside down and accordingly the top Die is made convex with a V shaped
cross section to correspond with the V of the upper part of the Ridge tile as finished.
At its two sides the top die works into the lower die, but at its ends directly into the Die
Box. The Die Box is partly open at one end with a more or less V shaped or concave
opening to admit of the tile being easily removed; and so far as convenient it may be
open in a similar manner at the other end. The Die Box encloses the bottom die at
the two sides and ends. The lower edges of the wings of the Tile (as fixed on the
roof) require to be square and to produce these edges I undercut the bottom die at
its upper sides which latter receive the top die direct; but as there is no taper in the
ridge Tile in a longitudinal direction, a difficulty presents itself in withdrawing the Tile
after pressing. I therefore instead of making the bottom die with the aforesaid
upper sides in one piece, make it in three pieces by dividing the same vertically at
its sides, making the sides with the undercuts independent of the centre portion of the
die; so that they may be lifted seperately from the central portion by seperate lifting
rods; and when the two sides are lifted a little in advance of the central portion of
the Die the Ridge Tile can be easily removed. The central portion of the die is lifted
in a similar manner to the bottom die of an ordinary Tile press, to any of which these
dies may be applied. The lifting gear of Tile prosses, such as ordinarily used in
pressing Broseley Tiles, consists of a cross bar attached to or carried by the screw-
head of the press to which the top die is attached, and from this cross bar, vertical

page_text: side rods depend, passing through, or clear of, the table of the press, and connected
to another cross bar underneath in the centre of which is a sliding hole through
which the lifting rod of the bottom die passes and which rod is lifted by the cross bar
in its upward movement by means of a set collar suitably placed on the lifting rod;
the whole gear being actuated by the rising and falling motion of the Screw-head of
the press with the first mentioned cross bar. For lifting the bottom die, I may keep
to this arrangement of the lifting gear for the centre portion of the same and for
lifting the sides of the bottom die, provide two other lifting rods with stop collars and
also two extra Sliding holes in the lower cross bar. By this means when the stop
collars are suitably placed or adjusted on these two other lifting rods, the sides of the
bottom die will be lifted in advance of the central portion. All these lifting rods are
steadied in working by a guide bar at their lower ends as in the case of the lifting
rod of the bottom die of the ordinary press as generally used for plain or Broseley
Tiles;
this guide bar being fixed to the lower portions of the press. For the purpose
of lifting the independent sides of the bottom Die I may however in some cases prefer
to lift them in a more direct manner by attaching short rods, or studs, to the upper
parts of the sides, with suitable stop collars or nuts passing through a short cross bar,
or lugs, attached to the screw head of the Press at a convenient distance above the
top die, when they will ascend with the top die and in advance of the central portion
of the bottom die according to the position or adjustment of the stop collars or nuts.
To insure the independent sides going down fully into the Die Box on the downward
stroke of the top die, I may apply Spiral springs on the short rods or studs, between
the upper surfaces of the Independent sides and the under surface of the cross bar
or lugs, or any other convenient form of spring; or I may attach to the bottom edge
of the independent sides, rods passing downwards through the table of the press with
weights attached to effect the same purpose. To get an even lift of the sides, as for
instance, when the dies are required to be very long, I may prefer to duplicate
this arrangement of cross-bar or lugs and short rods with springs as mentioned, so
as to lift each independent side at two points instead of one point, or I may duplicate
the first mentioned arrangement of Lifting gear.
I may apply this arrangement or plan of making the bottom or lifting die or
plate in three parts and also the method or methods of lifting the independent sides
generally, as described above in the case of Dies for Ridge and Hip ridge Tiles,
to my dies for Hip Tiles proper, forming a part of my Patent No. 7311 of 1885, for
the purpose of giving greater facility for taking out the pressed Hip (or Valley)
Tile; as such tiles can when the undercut sides are made to lift independently, and
in advance of the central portion of the bottom die or plate, bo lifted vertically
without straining or distorting the tile, before being drawn out endways. In applying
this construction and arrangement of parts to my said Dies for Hip & Valley
Tiles, the independent sides to be lifted not being central with the centre of the
press I prefer to arrange the lifting gear, when viewed on plan, centrally as
may
be called with the independent sides; or in such position as to obtain an even and
steady lift of these parts.
When the bottom edge of Plain or Broseley Tiles are bevelled or rounded at the
outside or upper surface of the tile, they are less liable to be disturbed or lifted by
the action of the wind-and in order to obtain such edge more conveniently than
heretofore in pressed tiles, I construct Dies as follows:-I make the upper die longer
than the tile at its non-nibbed or bottom end, and with a downward flange from
its under surface, deep enough to work below the upper surface of the lower die,
which it encloses in pressing the tile, working over the end of the latter. I may
however prefer to make the lower die of the same length as the top die providing a
recess in the end of the former for the reception of the top die flange and to prevent
the two dies coming into contact. The curved or bevelled edge is given to the
tile by filling in the angle formed at the inner root of the flange where it springs
from the under surface of the top die in a corresponding manner to the curve or
bevel required. This arrangement is applicable to ordinary dies and also to my
before recited Patent Invertible Dies.

page_text: In dies that press the Tiles with nibs upwards I reverse the arrangement last
described by making the lower die longer than the upper die with a rising flange
from its upper surface; the top die working inside this flange and the bevelled or
rounded edge being formed in the lower die instead of in the top die. In some
cases I
may prefer to attain the same end by making the lower die shorter than the
tile, & the upper die, making up the length by an offset at the end of the Die Box,
level with the top surface of the lower die; and give the required bevelled. or
rounded edge by rounding or bevelling the angle this offset would otherwise form
with the end surface of the-Box. I apply these arrangements -or- constructions to
ordinary dies and also my aforesaid Patent Invertible Dies.
Referring to the first mentioned arrangement or construction for obtaining the
bevelled or rounded edge, I may adapt the same for forming or moulding a continuous
nib or flange the only modification necessary being the formation of a recess for
moulding the same in lieu of filling in the angle at the root of the top die flange; and
applying the whole arrangement to the other or nibbed end of the tile.
In a roof laid with Broseley or plain Tiles, in order to cause a more even drip of.
the water and to lighten the tiles, form on the upper surface of the tiles so far only as
they are visable and exposed to the weather longitudinal grooves, hollows or corru-
gations. Tiles being often slightly convex in cross section and otherwise not perfectly
flat, these. grooves or corrugations will prevent an undue amount of water from flowing
into the vertical joints and will evenly diffuse the rain water.
The Tile herein before described as serving for either a Hip or a Valley, I also apply
with a suitable modification of outline and proportions (the dies for the same, when
dies are used, being similarly modified and made to form two blind Holes or
depressions) as angle Tiles at the inner and outer angles of wall or vertical or hanging
Tiling. But in this case both the inner and outer angles, corresponding to the valleys
and Hips of a Roof, require to be nailed to the wall or to the laths of the wall. Owing
to these requirements, I form in the Tile two blind holes or depressions as already
indicated one at a suitable point towards each end of the tile and which same may be
formed when dies are used by same means as Hip & Valley Tile. At the narrower
end of the tile the blind hole or depression is made from that side of the tile that may
be termed its outer angle side; and at its wider end the depression or blind hole is
made from its inner anglo side; so that when used as an outside angle, that is with its
narrower end upwards the depression or blind hole at the lower and wider end will be
invisible or when used as an inside angle with its smaller end downwards the
depression or blind hole at the lower and narrower end will be likewise invisible.
I may even treat the improved tile which serves as either a Hip or a Valley, in a
similar manner that is by forming an additional blind hole or depressions on the
inner angle or reverse side to that on which the blind hole or depression has been
already described as being situated, and at a suitable point towards its larger end, so
that it may be nailed to the roof (as in the case when the samo is used as a Hip) when
desireable. In dies for valleys so made, I accordingly duplicate the means by which
the Blind Hole or depression is made.
The Improved Hip Tile hereinbefore described with nib or nibs, flange or flanging
continuation I may also apply to vertical or hanging Tiling by a suitablo modification
of shape and proportions. The nib or nibs flange, or flanging projection, being in
the case of the inside angles formed at the wider end of the Tile; the dies for the
same, when dies are used, being modified accordingly.
I also apply the improved wedged shaped matching pieces and the improved caves
tiles hereinbefore mentioned to vertical tiling.
Dated 10th day of March 1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roofing and Wall or Hanging Tiles and in Dies
and Gear of Presses for Moulding and Pressing Tiles of these
Descriptions.
I, GEORGE MINGAY GARRARD, late of 13 Princes Court, Great George Street, in
the City of Westminster, and now of Ironbridge Shropshire Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to bo
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement-
My invention has reference to roofing and wall or hanging tiles and especially tho
class known as Broseley or plain pattern tiles; and to the production of certain of
these improved tiles and other tiles belonging to the same class.
Referring to tiles that are known as Hip and Valley tiles, such as are made and
used in conjunction with the plain or Broseley pattern of tile for the outer and inner
angles of roofs respectively, I, in order to simplify the manufacture and general
convenience make a tile that may be used either as a Hip or a Valley. For these
purposes I make the tile as regards its shape and outline the same as Hip tiles now
generally made but sufficiently curved at the trough or angle that the tile may be
used inverted and turned up end down to serve as a Valley tile. But Hip tiles
require a hole at the sinaller or upper end for the purpose of nailing them to the laths
or rafters of the roof and such a hole renders the Hip tile unfit to be used as a
Valley tile as the hole would be in the exposed portion of the tile in the latter case
and afford ingress for the water and be otherwise objectionable. Now in order to
overcome this difficulty I make in the tile in its green state a depression or a hole
part of the way only through the tile or what I term a "blind" hole not penetrating
to what is the under side when the tile is applied as a Hip so that when inverted and
turned up end down and applied as a Valley there will be no depression or hole
exposed. The tile is subsequently burnt.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved
Hip and Valley tile as seen from its concave side. Figure 2 is a vertical section and
Figure 3 an end elevation of the same. Figures 4, 5 and 6 are portions of similar
views to a larger scale. Figure 7 shows the tiles applied as Valleys. Figure 8 shows
the same applied as Hips. a is the "blind" hole or depression made from the convex
side. When the tile is applied on a Hip as shown in Figure 8 the blind hole or
depression is visible in a position to receive the nail by which the tile is secured to
the laths or rafters of the roof and the hole can readily he opened and the nail driven
through. Or the operation of opening the hole may be previously performed. When
the tile is inverted and turned up end down as shown in Figure 7 there is no visible
hole and none is required.
As the same tile now serves for hips and valleys the manufacturer requires to keep
but one pattern in stock where previously he kept two and the dual tile will also be
a great convenience to the customer.
The "blind" hole or depression may be made by hand but for the sake of uniformity
and exactitude I prefer to make it in the operation of finishing and pressing the tile
by means of dies similar to those forming a part of my patent No. 7311 of 1885 but for
theso purposes I make the apparatus there described for piercing or punching the nail

page_text: hole with a pin which enters the lifting plate or lower dio only and of such a length
that it only projects above the surface of the lifting or lower die to the height required
to form the blind hole or depression before described. I consequently use a plain
top die, that is, without the hole for the piercing pin as shown and described in my
aforesaid specification, but I may form the blind hole or depression by a simple pin or
boss on the upper surface of the lower dio or lifting plate...
{
In order to enable Hip tiles to be more efficiently secured on the roof than at present
I make a special Hip tile illustrated by Figures 9, 10 and 11. Figure 9 is an elevation
of the concave side of the tile, Figure 10 is a vertical-section and Figure-11 is an
end view. The upper end a of the tile 1 make with a flange b on its under side for
the purpose of engaging with and resting upon tho' laths of the roof. This flange I
make angular so as to correspond with the angle made by the laths where they meet-
at the Hip line. This flange I. in some cases break up into a convenient number
of nibs instead of making it continuous or it may take the form of a central
angular nib.
Sometimes I prolong the upper end of the Hip tilo as shown in Figures 12, 13,.
and 14. Figure 12 is an elevation of the concave side Figure 13 a vertical section
and Figure 14 an end elevation.
The under surface of the tile is stepped down and prolonged as at c. in theso
figures to a convenient, depth the lino of stepping being angular as shown in
Figure 12 forming a shoulder gripping and fitting the angle formed by the edges
of the laths at their junction. as already described. This prolongation, may bo
regarded as a continuation of the tile beyond the flange shown in Figures 9, 10
and. 11. This part or continuation of the tile is made to touch or approach as near
as practicable to the Hip rafter of the roof. In this continuation or projection I
make the holed for nailing the tile to the roof tho nail which is driven directly
into the rafter. The improved Hip tile when attached to the roof is far more
efficiently secured than at present. In addition to the nail hole d I in some cases
in order to give greater security make a second nail hole e in the ordinary position.
For use at the caves of roofs I in some cases make a flange on tho edges f and g
to match the flange of the over eave tile shown in Figure 16 and hereinafter
described. -
་
"
The Hip tiles last described may be made by hand, but I prefer to form or to
complete these tiles by pressing them by means of dies similar to thoso described in
my specification No. 7311 in the year 1885.
"
1
In laying plain or Broseley tiles it happens that owing to varying widths in the
tiles the rows of tiles do not always perfectly "break joint" with each other, and in
order to correct this variation or to make up a row of tiles more exactly to a certain
length I provide "matching or closure tiles consisting of a tile made in two parts
and divided obliquely so that by shifting the parts the one on the other whilst the
Loblique edges aro in contact the width as measured between the parallel sides can
be varied as required. Figure 15 shows the manner in which the improved matching
tiles are made and applied. One of the pair of matching tiles is made longer than
the other as at a and b, c d and e f, df and f¹ or both these tiles may be made of
the same or ordinary length as at gh. I niny make these pairs of matching tiles
in one piece originally "nicking" them with an oblique line shown dotted in kl so
that after being burnt they may be parted as now commonly done with the parallel
matching tiles hitherto in use. In which case I cut off the nib i and generally stop
up the nail hole j or omit to form the hole in the first instance. In applying these
strips or matching or closure tiles it may happen that the smaller end of one of the
pair of tiles or strips will project as at m, and this projection is in such cases cut
off in laying the tiles. To facilitate this cutting off in some cases nick" the
point of the tile at intervals.
"
In some cases I employ two ordinary tiles each with one wedged or bevilled side
asff with the strip or tile e having both its sides or edges shaped to fit between the
two tiles f £

page_text: To prevent water entering the oblique joints I form a groove as shown at o or make
the body of the tile slightly sunken as at p leaving thus slight ridges above the oblique
joints to lead the water to the bottom of the tile.
By means of these strips or matching pieces or closure tiles rows of tiles may be laid
throughout without any wido joints and a want of perfect break of joint may be
corrected at such intervals as may be necessary.
Tiles of the plain or Broseley pattern are usually laid two thick at the caves of roofs
the one underneath being termed the under cave tile or eave proper which tile is
shorter than ordinary tiles whilst the upper or over eave tile is an ordinary sized
tile.
To make the two eave tiles lie more compactly and to prevent or lessen the chance
of disturbance from wind or other causes as well as to improve the appearance and to
obtain a better drip for the water, I make the upper cave tile with a flange on its
underside as shown at a in Figure 16.
To give the proper pitch or inclination to the tiles, I niako the under eave tile as
shown in Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is a vertical section of the under cave and
over cave. Figure 19 is an underside view of the under eave tile. The under eave c
is made thicker at the bottom than at the top. I recess it underneath as at d leaving
flanges e e e at its sides, so that the thickness of material may be uniform. The flange/
of the over cave tile g is received into an offset notch in the under cave c as shown in
Figure 18 so that the two tiles appear, when laid, to be of uniform thickness at the
cave edge.
At the gable ends of roofs, laid with Broseley or plain tiles, the roof edge is laid
with every other tile wider by the width of half a tile than the intervening ordinary
tiles and these wider tiles are termed gable tiles. This in done in order to break
joint and to render the edging more compact and at the same time to finish the edge
off evenly. Sometimes the same objects are obtained but less perfectly by the use
alternately of an ordinary width of tile and a half width tile.
In order to bind the gable edges better together than heretofore and to lessen the
chance of disturbance from wind or other causes and to render "pointing" with morfar
or cement unnecessary and also to improve the appearance of gable edges, I construct
a gable tile with flanges on the outer edge both on the upper and under side.
Figure 20 is an edge view and Figure 21 is a plan of a gable tile so constructed.
Figures 22 and 23 show modifications in the forms of the flanges. Figure 24 is an
elevation of the gable edge laid with tiles such as are shown by Figures 20 and 21.
Figure 25 is a plan of the tiled surface. Figure 26 is an edge view and Figure 27 is
a portion of a plan of a gable tile provided with an over cave flange as described in
respect to Figures 16 and 18. In Figures 24 and. 25 a is the gable tile and is the
intermediate narrower tile.
The gable tiles it will be seen havo each an upper flange cand a lower flange d,
these between them completely cover the edges of the intermediate tiles which they
overlap. The flange c covers the lap of the tile bimmediately above and the part
of the edge of the tile which is not so covered is covered by the flange d of the
gable flange above.
"
•
1 make the improved gable tile wider than usual to the extent of the width of
the flanges c and d and the flanges more or less in depth as in Figures 20, 22, 23
and 26. The gable edge presents (when flanges are arranged as in figures 20 and 21)
the same outline as if laid with ordinary gables as usual but the interstices which
it is now usual to "point with mortar or cement will be invisible and the top
flange will retain or secure the tile laid immediately over it from any chance of
disturbance by wind or other causes and the lower flange will also likewise secure
the tile laid immediately under the gable tile which consideration however is not
so important as the over tile is far more exposed to disturbances than the tile laid
under the gable tile.
In some cases I apply the aforesaid arrangements of flanges to a tile of the
ordinary width and used alternately with a narrow tile as heretofore which is

page_text: ;
preferable from a manufacturing point of view as the wide gable tile is more difficult
to produce the flanges are shown thus applied in Figures 20 and 21. The ordinary
tile and half tile arrangement is objectionable by reason of the half tile being small
and light and consequently very. liable to displacement but by my improvement the
half tile is retained and secured from disturbance by the upper flange c which
retains the half tile.
In finishing the improved gable tile I prefer to employ dies so as to press the
same and for this purpose I provide in the top and bottom dies recesses for forming
the said flanges.
In pressing the Broseley or plain pattern of tiles, the nibs are now generally
formed by recesses cut in the top die at one end, the inside dead ends of which
recesses form or mould the inside or gripping edges of the nibs. The dead corners
of the recesses are subject to clog consequently imperfect edges are given to the
nibs where they are especially required to be sharp and defined in order to effectually
grip the laths of the roof.
.
To overcome this difficulty and in order to obtain an improved shape of nib
having a curved back which it is difficult to obtain when the nibs are formed in
the top die and to otherwise improve the quality of the tiles I press the tile with
the nibs downwards and form the nibs partly in the bottom die and partly in the
die box. Figures 28, 29, 29 and 30 show a set of dies such as I employ:
Figure 28 is a longitudinal section Figure 29 a transverse section with top and
bottom dies in elevation Figure 294 is a plan and Figure 30 is a plan with top die
removed.
a is the space occupied by the tile when pressed between the top. die band the
bottom dio c. The die box d is made in four parts which are supported upon a table
and are held together by rings. In the die box d I form the nib spaces at one end
of the tile by constructing the parts as follows:-I form in the bottom die c at one
end open vertical notches e e e and I form at the end of the die box corresponding
vertical projections fff these projections are curved at their top ends to form the
back of the nib.
The bottom die e will thus fit exactly the box with its projection's fff.
I prefer to curve the backs of the nibs as such are stronger and require less
material and à lesser flow of clay in the act of pressing.
This arrangement and construction of parts of a set of dies is shewn applied to
an ordinary set or non-invertible dies in Figures 28, 29, 294 and 30 but I also
apply it to the invertible diés for which a Patent No. 7311 of 1885 has been
granted to me.
Figures 31, 32, 33 and 34 shew this application. Figure 31 is a longitudinal
section Figure 32 a transverse section (shewing top and bottom dies in elevation)-
Figure 33 a sectional plan view with bottom die plate e removed and Figure 34 a
plan of the bottom die or die plate removed from the die box.
In these figures I employ the same index letters to represent the same parts or
their equivalents as in Figures 28 to 30. In order to make the dio box invertible
I stop short the vertical projections fff both at the top and bottom ends and curve
both these ends.
When these vertical projections are thus treated the die box d, is rendered
invertible and they are used as described in my former specification.
I in some cases instead of making separate nibs construct the die box and bottom
die so as to form a continuous nib or Hange on the tile as hereinafter referred to
and described.
By pressing the tiles as above described the gripping or inside edges of the nibs
are forined sharper and more perfect than hitherto attainable.
These arrangements and constructions shown by the preceding figures afford
means of expelling the air which has also been a source of imperfect nibs hitherto
as the air in the nib spaces can escape at the working faces or joints already
described.
To provide for the expulsion of air from the die box so as to get more pressure.

page_text: and a more perfect tile and also to facilitate the fitting of the said die box, 1
"chamber" the lower portion of the same as at g Figures 28 to 30 and make
openings at the sides of the box at h in these figures."
I obtain a like result in the dies shown by Figures 31 to 34 by making the
sides of the die box with openings gg in the part immediately beneath the spaco
occupied by the tile when the pressure is applied.
These chambers or openings in the case of the invertible dies reduce the rubbing
and wear at the bottom edge of the top plate of the bottom die or lifting plate e
preserving such more perfectly for the purpose of inversion.
Referring to ridge tiles used at the ridges of roofs some patterns of which are
also used as hip tiles, (when they may be termed hip ridges) I improve the finish
and quality by pressing the tiles in dies. In order to effect this I construct and
arrange dies as shewn by Figures 35 and 36. Figure 35 is a vertical section and
Figure 36 is a plan partly in section. The tile is pressed in the space a, with
its wing edges upwards or upside down and accordingly the top die b, is made
At its two
of a shaped cross section to correspond with the angle of the tiles.
sides the top die works into the lower die c, and at its ends directly into the die
box d. The die box is made at one or both ends (as shewn by dots in Figure 35
and shaded in Figure 36.) with a V shaped opening to admit of the tile being easily
removed but to strengthen the box it may be less open at one end than at the other.
The die box d encloses the bottom die c, at the two sides and ends.
The edges
of the wings of the tile require to be square and to produce these edges I provide
the lower die with moveable sides with undercut edges that may be lifted
separately from the centre portion by separate lifting rods g g.
The two sides are
lifted a little in advance of the central portion of the die c thus the tile is released
and can easily be removed. The central portion is lifted in the same manner as the
bottom die of an ordinary roofing tile press. The lifting gear consists of a cross
bar h, attached or carried by the screw head i, of the press to which the top die is
attached and from this cross bar vertical side rods, depend passing through or
clear of the table of the press (the upper surface of which is represented by the
dotted line kk) to another cross bar I, underneath in the centre of which as at m, is a hole
through which the lifting rod n, passes. The rod is lifted by the cross bar in it
upward movement by means of a set collar p, suitably placed the whole gear
is actuated by the rising and falling motion of the screw head i.
:
For lifting the independent sides, f, I provide two other lifting rods g g with stop
collars o, o, and also two extra sliding holes in the lower cross bar 1, at 9 9. All
these lifting rods are steadied in working by a guide bar ", at their lower ends
attached to the lower portion of the press frame I in some cases lift the independent
sides †,†, in a more direct manner as shewn in Figures 37 and 38 by attaching short
rods or studs s, s, to the upper part of the sides f, f, attaching these to the screw
head of the press i by means of the cross bar h, a little play is left in the strap
ends t, t, underneath the bar h, to allow of the free descent of the top die on tho
tile. In order to insure the independent sides going fully down into the die box I
insert small blocks of india rubber in the spaces of the strap ends left for play as
just described. 1 in some cases attach weights to the under sides of the independent
sides as at g, g, Figure 35. To get an even lift of the independent sides when the dies
are long I duplicate the lifting rods or studs s, s, as shewn in Figure 39, where s s, s s
are the lifting studs attached to two independent cross bars u, u, instead of to cross
bar as in Figures 37 and 38.
I apply the arrangement or plan of making the bottom or lifting die or plate in
three parts and also the method of lifting the independent sides generally as
described above to dies for ridges and hip ridge tiles.
Figures 40, 41, and 42 shew such application which will be readily understood
from the description already given in respect to dies for ridge tiles and the description
given of my hip and valley dies in my former specification. The different parts are
denoted by the same reference letters as used in the preceding figures. In this
application however owing to the fact of hip tile die being more or less lozenge

page_text: shape the independent sides f,f, are not central with the attachment of the screw
head of the press as viewed in plan in Figure 42 in consequence the sides have to
be lifted in different vertical planes. Instead of lifting them by means of the central
cross bars h, and Figures 35 and-36 and the rods j, j, I employ an additional top
cross bar and an additional bottom cross bar with additional side rods. The
additional cross bar is attached to the side of the screw head of the press.
The parts operate as described with reference to Figures 35 and 36.
When the bottom edge of plain or Broseley tiles are, bevelled or rounded at
the outside upper surface or rather angle 'they are less liable to be disturbed by the
action of the wind-and a better drip for the rain water is obtained.
In order to obtain such shaped edge more conveniently than heretofore in pressed
tiles, employ discs such as aro shewn by the Figures 45, 44 and 45. Figure 43 is a
longitudinal section. Figure 44 is a transverse section and Figure 45 is a plan with
the top die removed. I make the upper die b, Figures 43 and 44 longer than the tile
(which latter is represented by the space a) at its non-nibbed end with a downward
flango, from its under surface, deep enough to work below the upper surface of the
lower die c, which latter I make of the same length as the top die b, (instead of
making it the same length as the tile) I provide a recess or offset i, at the end for the
reception of the top die flange which thus overlaps the face of the lower die. The
curved or bevelled edge is given by filling in the angle at the root of the flange has
at j. This arrangement is shewn in Figures 43, 44 and 45 applied to an ordinary
or non invertible die and the index letters in these and subsequent figures denote the
samo parts or their equivalents as in Figures 28 to 34. It will be observed that the
mould just described is adapted to produce a continuous nib.
Figures 46, 47 and 48 shew the application of this arrangement and construction to
invertible dies. An upward flange is provided in addition to the flange h, and a
recess or offset e¹, in the end of the bottom die c, at its under sido as well as on the
top at e.
་
In dies that press the tile nib upwards I for the purpose of giving the rounded or
bevelled edge to the tile, reverse the arrangement of top and bottom die, making the
lower die longer, than the upper die.
Figure 49 is a longitudinal section and Figure 50 is a transverso. section with top
and bottom dies in elevation of such a set of dies. b is the upper die and c the lower
dic. The lower die is made with the rising flange at one end. The rounded edge is
formed at in the lower die instead of in the top die.
Figure 51 is a longitudinal section. Figure 52 is a transverse section and Figure 53.
is a plan shewing this latter arrangement applied to invertible dies.
In some case I make the rounded or bevelled edge to the tile as shewn in Figure 54
which is a longitudinal section. In this arrangement the lower die c is made shorter
than the tile or tile space a, and the top die 6, at the non nibbed end of the tile with
a curved offset in the dic box d to form the rounded (or bevelled) edge at j. In this
case the upwardly projecting flange h on the lower die overlaps the face of the upper
dic. This arrangement is also applicable to invertible dies as shewn in Figures 51
and 52.
According to my invention I make angle. tiles in such manner as to be suitable both
for internal and external angles.
Figure 55 is a vertical section and Figure 57 is a plan of an angle tile placed as
for an external angle. Figures 56 and 58 are similar views of the same tile placed for
an internal angle. These tiles require to be nailed to the wall or to the laths of the
wall. The sides are shewn equal but they are sometimes made one side half the length
of the other for the purpose of "breaking joint" or right and left handed. In other
cases the tiles are made with the two sides equal and the break of joint is effected by
using alternately a wide and narrow tile the sides of the narrower tile being half the
width of the wider tile.
In Figures 5 to 58 I shew one of these wider tiles and 2 nail holes on each side
instead of one hole as obtained in the narrower tiles. Figures 59 and 60 show in plan
a narrower tile with one hole in each side...

page_text: Both the internal angles and the external angles require to be nailed consequently I
form blind holes or depressions both at the top and bottom of the tile. I form the
blind holes or depressions a, at the narrower end of the tile for nailing it to the wall as
an external angle tile-and blind holes or depressions b, on the other side and at its
wider end for nailing the tile to the wall as an internal angle.
When the tile is thus used viz. as an internal angle the blind holes b, only will be
visible and will be at the top and available for nailing whilst the holes a will be invisible.
And in a similar manner when used as an external angle, the blind holes a only, will
be visible and available for nailing whilst the holes b will be invisible. If holes were
visible at the lower or exposed portion of the tile such tile would be unfit to be used
as an angle tile.
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 :-
1. A dual or hip and valley tile with a blind hole or depression as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. A hip tile substantially as described with a flange or rib on the under side and
at the upper end to engage with and rest upon the roofing lathes as set forth.
3. A lip tile substantially as described with a prolongation at the upper end set
down to meet the rafter and having a nail hole therein as set forth.
4. Matching tiles substantially as described and with corresponding inclined or
bevelled sides as set forth.
5. Over eave tiles substantially as described with a downwardly projecting flange
along the lower edge as set forth..
6. Under eave tiles substantially as described inclined or tapered and flanged as set
forth.
7. A gable tile substantially as described flanged on the outer edge of the top
surface or of the top and bottom surfaces as set forth.
8. A set of dies substantially as described for pressing tiles with the nibs downwards
and with the recess for producing the nib partly in the lower die and partly in the die
box as set forth.
9. A set of dies substantially as described with the die box chambered or open sides
as set forth.
10. A set of dies substantially as described for moulding ridge tiles or hip tiles with
the lower in three parts, the outer parts forming the edges of the tile and being
movable in relation to the central part which moulds the convex face of the tile as
set forth.
11. A set of dies substantially as described for moulding nibbed roofing tiles with
a bevilled or rounded end, with the upper die extending beyond the end of the tile
and having a downwardly projecting flange overlapping the face of the lower dio as
set forth.
12. A set of dies substantially as described for mouiding nibbed roofing tiles with a
bevilled or rounded end, with the lower die extending beyond the end of the tile and
having an upwardly projecting flange overlapping the face of the upper die as set
forth.
13. A dual angle tile substantially as described available both for external and
internal angles and having blind nail holes both at the upper and lower ends as set
forth.
Dated this 9th day of January 1889.