IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING TILES
Year: 1882

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I CHARLES
MAJOR of Bridgwater in the County of Somerset Brick and Tile Manufacturer
Send Greeting WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date
at Westminster the twelfth day of April In the Year of Our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two in the forty fifth year of Her Reign did for
herself Her Heirs and successors give and grant unto me the said Charles Major
my executors administrators and assigns Her special license full power sole
privilege and authority that I the said Charles Major my executors administrators
and assigns or such others as I the said Charles Major my executors admini-
strators or assigns should at any time agree with and no others from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed should and
lawfully might make use exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of Man an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING TILES" for and during the
term of fourteen years thence next ensuing And whereas in pursuance and
performance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent contained I tho said Charles
Major did within Six Calendar months next after the date of the said Letters
Patent namely on the 12th day of October A.D. 1882 cause a Specification in
writing under my hand and seal purporting to particularly describe the nature
of the said Invention and in what manner the same was to be performed to be
duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office And whereas since the filing of the
said Specification I the said Charles Major have been advised that the claims
made in the said Specification might be held to cover matter which was not new
at the date of the said Letters Patent and I am therefore desirous of amending
the said Specification as hereinafter more fully appearing NOW KNOW YE that
1 the said Charles Major by and with the leave of Her Majesty's Attorney General
and for the reason aforesaid do amend the said Specification in manner following
that is to say-I strike out the paragraph commencing with the words "The second
part" which occur at line 49 of page 2 of the Queens Printers Copy of the said Speci-
fication published at the Commissioners of Patents Sale Department in 1882 and

page_text: 14
"
ending with the words "or the reverse of this" which occur at line 4 of page 3
of the said Copy of the said Specification. I also strike out the words "The third
part of my Invention consists in forming a which occur at line 5 of the said
page 3 and substitute therefor the capital letter "A." I also insert the words
may be formed" between the letter "M" and the word "in" which occur
at the said line 5. I also strike out the paragraph commencing with the
words "Figure 6 represents in section" which occur at line 9 of the said page
and ending with the word "joint" which occurs at line 11 of the said page 3. I
also strike out the paragraph commencing with the words "The shapes of tiles"
which occur at line 18 of the said page 3 and ending with the word "described"
which occurs at line 22 of the said page 3. I also strike out the word " or" which
occurs at line 25 of the said page 3. I also insert the words " or grooves " between
the words "fillets" and "na" which occur at the said line 25. I also strike out
the word "and" from between the figures "1" and "2" which occur at line 26
of the said page 3. I also insert "3, 5, 7, and 8" between the said figure "2" and
the word "of" which occur at the said line 20. I also strike out the Second third
and fourth claiming clauses consisting of the words " Secondly I claim" which
occur at line 28 of the said page 3 and the following words down to and including
the words "as set forth" which occur at line 33 of the said page 3.
And in order that the effect of the said Disclaimer may be clearly understood I
annex hereto a Copy of the said Specification as it will appear when so amended
the preamble and testing clause being omitted.
The object of this Invention is to construct roofing tiles with serrated or step
like bodies to divide the rain water into streams also to arrange projecting ribs or
fillets on the upper outside edges and similar ribs or fillets on the under lower
edges so that the bottoms of one series overlap the other in a secure manner.
tiles are so made that they can be fitted to break joint or otherwise. The under
surface of the upper ends is provided with lugs or nibs for lodging the tiles to the
rafters or rails of the roof
The
The edge on one side of each tile has a raised fillet over which a portion of the
edge of the adjoining tile engages a stop piece being arranged to act in conjunction
with a recessed part of the next adjoining tile to fit on or over it.
In some cases instead of the fillet being on the under portion a grove may be
formed at that part to receive the top upper fillet of the next tile.
My Invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings in which in
Figure 1, 1 show a couple of my tiles according to the first described method-
arranged as they would appear on a roof. Figure 2 represents one of the same
tiles looking at the underside in order that the rib or fillet A on or near the lower
edge may be seen and also to show the lugs or nibs B at or near the upper end
which rests upon the battens or rafters in the ordinary manner.
These tiles aro
serrated or in step like form C C so as to lead the rain water into the hollows or
channels D D. The tiles of this construction aru all alike and any portion will fit
any other portion of a neighbouring tile of the same make whether it be at the
right or at the left hand side or above or below another whereby they can be
adjusted to fit any width of roofing,
These tiles are particularly suitable for comparatively flat roofs the fillets or
ribs A acting in conjunction with the ribs or fillets E on the upper outside of each
tilo to prevent capillary attraction. Thus no water can be drawn upwards by
internal warmth.
Each tilo of this construction locks its neighbour in place and the roof is
consequently of great strength. The tiles are also less liable to be lifted at the
lower ends and loosened by gales or high winds as is the case with ordinary
roofing tiles neither do they require cement or mortar in the most exposed
situations.
The lugs or nibs B can be dispensed with if desired and holes for nails made in
the tiles instead.
F is a raised plain edge at one side with a stop piece G at the upper part"

page_text: between the edgo F and the first serration C for a plain recessed portion H of the
next side tile to rest on and project over the raised edge F of one tile with the
plain depending edge H of the next tile which fits it forms the channel between
the two tiles and gives the appearance when the roof is finished of regular serrations
without a break.
Figure 3 represents the inner side of a modified roofing tile of the same or
serrated construction tho lower under rib or fillet A being dispensed with and a
groove J being formed in the under surface of the tile for the reception of the
rib or fillet E on the upper top surface of the next upper tile to rest in.
A groove or channel M may be formed in the upper top surface of the tile and
a projecting rib or fillet N on the under lower surface as shown in Figure 5 of the
drawings the lower edge P projecting beyond the fillet to carry the rain water
clear of the groove.
Figure 7 shows a flat faced tile (Italian or Roman) with a curl T at one side and
a raised angled fillet or rib U at the other; the upper top surface of this tile has a
raised rib or fillet E to engage into the recessed or grooved portion provided for it
in the next adjoining tile.
Figure 8 represents a treble channelled roofing tilo with a raised rib or fillet E
at its upper edge and with another fillet or rib A at the lower under edge.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that I claim :-
The construction of serrated and channelled roofing tiles with ribs fillets or
grooves as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 of the annexed
drawings as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Major have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fifteenth day of March One thousand eight hundred and
nighty three
CHARLES MAJOR (L.S.)
To, The Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named Charles Major to file
in the Office of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions, with the Specification
to which the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alteration.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Major of Bridgwater in the County of Somerset
Brick and Tile Manufacturer for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING TILES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Major at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1882.
CHARLES MAJOR of Bridgwater in the County of Somerset. Brick and Tilo
Manufacturer IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING TILES
The object of this invention is to construct roofing tiles with serrated or steplike
bodies to divide the rain water into streams also to arrange projecting ribs or fillets
on the upper outside edges and similar ribs or fillets on the under lower edges so
that the bottom of one series overlaps the other in a secure manner. The tiles are
so made that they can be fitted to break joint or otherwise. The under surface
of the upper ends is provided with lugs or nibs for lodging the tile to the rafters
or rails of the roof.
The edge on one side of each tile has a raised fillet over which a portion of the
edge of the adjoining tile engages a stop piece being arranged to act in conjunction
with a recessed part of the next adjoining tile to fit on or over it.
In some cases instead of the fillet being on the under portion a groove may be
formed at that part to receive the top upper fillet of the next tilo.
The second part of my invention relates to tiles having flat curved undulated or
other shaped upper surfaces and consists in forming a raised rib on upper edge
and a depending rib to the lower edge so that one overlaps the other or with a
groove under the upper portion for the reception of the depending lower rib of the
next upper tile or the reverse of this.
The third part of my invention consists in forming a groove or channel in the
upper top surface of the tile and a projecting rib or fillet on the under lower
surface the lower edge projecting beyond the fillet to carry the rain water clear of
the groove.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Major in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th October
1882.
CHARLES MAJOR of Bridgwater in the County of Somerset Brick and Tilo
Manufacturer IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING TILES
The object of this Invention is to construct roofing tiles with serrated or step
like bodies to divide the rain water into streams, also to arrange projecting ribs or
fillets on the upper outside edges and similar ribs or fillets on the under lower
edges so that the bottoms of one series overlap the other in a securo manner.
tiles are so made that they can be fitted to break joint or otherwise. The under
surface of the upper ends is provided with lugs or nibs for lodging the tiles to the
rafters or rails of the roof.
The
The edge on one side of each tile has a raised fillet over which a portion of the
edge of the adjoining tile engages, a stop piece being arranged to act in conjunction
with a recessed part of the next adjoining tile to fit on or over it.
In some cases instead of the fillet being on the under portion, n groove may be
formed at that part to receive the top upper fillet of the next tile.
My Invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings in which in
Figure 1, show a couple of my tiles according to the first described method,
arranged as they would appear on a roof. Figure 2 represents one of the same
tiles looking at the underside in order that the rib or fillet A on or near the lower
edge may be seen and also to show the lugs or nibs B at or near the upper end
which rest upon the battens or rafters in the ordinary manner. These tiles are
serrated or in step like form CC so as to lead the rain water into the hollows or
channels D D. The tiles of this construction are all alike and any portion will fit
any other portion of a neighbouring tile of the same make whether it be at the right
or at the left hand side or above or below another whereby they can be adjusted
to fit any width of roofing.
These tiles are particularly suitable for comparatively flat roofs, the fillets or
ribs A acting in conjunction with the ribs or fillets E on the upper outside of ench
tile to prevent capillary attraction. Thus no water can be drawn upwards by
internal warmth.
Each tile of this construction locks its neighbour in place and the roof is con-
sequently of great strength. The tiles are also less liable to be lifted at the lower
ends and loosened by gales or high winds as is the case with ordinary roofing
tiles, neither do they require cement or mortar in the most exposed situations.
The lugs or nibs B can be dispensed with if desired and holes for nails made in
the tiles instead.
is a raised plain edge at one side with a stop pieco G at the upper part
between the edge F and the first serration C for a plain recessed portion E of the
next side tile to rest on and project over, the raised edge F of one tile with the
plain depending edge II of the next tile which fits it forins the channel between
the two tiles and gives the appearance when the roof is finished of regular
serrations without a break.
Figure 3 represents the inner side of a modified roofing tile of the same or
serrated construction the lower under rib or Gillet A being dispensed with and a
groove J being formed in the under surface of the tile for the reception of the
ib or fillet E on the upper top surface of the next upper tile to rest in.
The second part of my Invention relates to tiles having flat, curved undulated
or other shaped upper surfaces and consists in forming a raised rib K on the

page_text: upper edge and a depending rib L to the lower edge as shown at Figure 4 of the
drawings so that one rib (L) overlaps the other K, or with a groove under the
upper portion for the reception of the depending lower rib of the next upper tile,
or the reverse of this.
The third part of my Invention consists in forming a groove or channel Min
the upper top surface of the tile and a projecting rib or fillet N on the under
lower surface as shown at Figuro 5 of the drawings the lower edge P projecting
beyond the fillet to carry the rain water clear of the groove.
Figure 6 represents in section a few tiles with grooves Q at their lower edges
into which the upper edges R engage the lower part having a wing S to carry the
rain water clear of the joint.
Figure 7 shows a flat faced tile (Italian or Roman) with a curl Tat one side
and a raised angled fillet or rib U at the other, the upper top surface of this tile
has a raised rib or fillet E to engage into the recessed or grooved portion provided
for it in the next adjoining tile.
Figure 8 represents a treble channelled roofing tile with a raised rib or fillet E
at its upper edge and with another fillet or rib A at the lower under edge.
The shapes of tiles shown at Figures 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 may be varied to suit
architectural or other taste the novelty being in the method of causing one tile to
lock itself in position by the upper rib or fillet E, or the groove, and the lower rib
or fillet to engage against, or over the upper rib or fillet of the next lower tile, or
into the groove of such a tile as described.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that I claim :-
The construction of serrated and channelled roofing tiles with ribs or fillets as
described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings as and for
the purposes set forth.
Secondly I claim:-The ribs or fillets A, E, or their equivalents to roofing tiles
substantially as shown and as described for the purposes set forth.
Thirdly I claim :-The construction of roofing tiles shown at Figures 3 and 5 of
the annexed drawings as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourthly I claim :-The top and bottom fillets or ribs A and E shown in Figures 7
and 8 to Italian, Ronan, or to flat, channelled and like tiles as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Major have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Tenth day of October in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.