Improvements in Roofing Tiles.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Roofing Tiles.
We, COLTHURST, SYMONS & Co., Limited, of Bridgwater, in the County of
Somerset, Brick and Tile Manufacturers, and WILLIAM ELSTONE PIERCE, of Midway
House, Burnham, in the same County, Manager of Brick and Tile Works, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to what are generally known as "Roman" roofing tiles ;
and its objects are, first, to prevent the displacement of such tiles by heavy winds,
and, secondly, to render the roof rain-proof by preventing water being driven
sufficiently far upwards between the tiles to leak through the roof.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view representing in perspective a tile
constructed according to our invention. Figs. 1 and 1b are geometrical end
elevations shewing respectively the upper and lower ends of the tile. Fig. 2 is a
perspective view illustrating the under side of the tile. Fig. 3 is a transverse longitu-
dinal section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, drawn to a smaller scale, illustrating the
manner in which the several tiles are placed together and locked in position; four
tiles being shown by way of example. Fig. 5 is a corresponding transverse section.
Fig. 6 is a view of the half tile employed, where necessary, to complete the bond.
-The
We prefer to construct our improved roofing tiles in the following manner :-1
upper end of each tile is formed with a recess a for the reception of one of the corners, b,
of the next adjacent overlying tile; the lower end of each tile being thus firmly held
in position. At the same time, the upper end of the tile is held down by the over-
lying tiles. By interlocking tiles in this manner, they are protected against disturb-
Water-
ance by even violent winds, and tile-nails are rendered unnecessary.
channels c care formed in that portion of the upper face of the tile which is intended
to be covered by the overlying tiles; the effect being that rain water driven upwards
by the wind between the tiles is intercepted and prevented from reaching the upper
edge of the lower tile, whence it might otherwise escape and cause leakage through
the roof. In addition to the water-channels c c running across the tile, others
running longitudinally or diagonally may be employed. The nibs d d engage with
the roofing slats and hold the tiles in place. It will be obvious that each of the ribs
or corrugations e fits into the corresponding cavity e¹ of the next adjacent tile. The
precise conformation of the tiles may, however, be varied without departing from the
principle of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim:
1. The improved manufacture of roofing tiles, adapted to interlock with one
another and to maintain their positions without necessitating the employment of nails;
the same being provided with water-channels whereby rain water, driven upwards
between the overlapping edges of the tiles, is intercepted and prevented leaking
through the roof, substantially as herein described.
2. In roofing tiles of the kind herein referred to, the improved means for securing
each tile in place substantially as herein described; such means comprising a recess a
formed in the upper edge of each tile and adapted for the reception of one of the
lower corners 6 of the next adjacent overlying tile, the said corner engaging in the
recess.
3. In roofing tiles of the kind herein referred to, the employment of one or more

page_text: water-channels, such as c, formed in the upper part of each tile and so disposed as to
be covered by the overlying tiles, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The improved roofing tile adapted to engage at its lower end with a tile which
it overlies and to be held down at its upper end by an overlying tile, substantially as
herein described.
.Dated this 14th day of March 1890.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.