IMPROVEMENTS IN TILES AND TILE ROOFING
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by François Baclèno at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th Juno 1880.
FRANÇOIS BACLÈNE, of Walcourt, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Architect.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TILES AND TILE ROOFING."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of tiles for roofing
purposes, and for forming the flashings for roofs, whereby a perfectly wind and
weather proof roofing is obtained.
In carrying out this Invention, the roof tiles are formed with a rib or flange
along the top and down one side of the face of the tile, the opposite side being
provided with an enlargement or hooked flange, which is intended to fit over the
rib or flange on the side of an adjacent tile. The upper part of this hooked flange
is shouldered away for a portion of its length. On the back of the tile, along the
bottom edge, is formed a rib or flange which interlocks with the top flange on the
faco of the tile below it. The tiles are also provided on their underside with lumps
or projections, which, when the tiles are in place, bear against the traverses of the
roof, and thus maintain the tiles in position.
The tiles which are placed next to chimney breasts and side walls are formed
with a rib or flange on there sides, viz., along the top and both sides of the face of
the tile, the underside being formed as above described.
Instead of flashings of metal or cement, as ordinarily used in such positions, what
may be termed flashing tiles are employed. These tiles havo along the lower edge
an enlargement in which a longitudinal groove is made to receive the flange or rib
on the side of the tile abutting against the chimney breast or wall, the back of the
flashing tile lying flat against the chimney breast or wall, to which it is secured by
a book or nail. The joint between two adjacent flashing tiles is made in a manner
similar to that of the roof tiles. The upper edges of these tiles are bevelled
off, so that they will not present any projecting portion for the lodgement of rain
or snow.
The flashing tiles for the tops of lean-to roofs are formed with a lateral projection,
which will overlap the edge of the abutting tile and cover the joint. These tiles,
when in position, rest on the top row of roof tiles and lean against the wall, to
which they are secured by hooks or nails.
The lower edge of the lateral projection is so formed that it will fit against the
ridges formed by the enlargements on the roof tiles.

page_text: It is also proposed to use tiles for finishing off gable roofs in place of coping or
barge-boards. In this case the tiles may have an ornamental character. The upper
edges of these tiles are formed with hooked flanges which fit over the ribs or flanges
on the sides of the roof tiles, and by which they are supported, and the joints are
made in a manner similar to that above described. To prevent these gable tiles
from being blown away, they may be secured to the rafters of the roof in any
convenient manner. The hip and ridge tiles aro made in a manner similar to the
roof tiles, except that they are made of a curved form, and have flanges on the
underside only.
"
In laying a roof with the improved tiles, the lowest row of tiles is first laid, the
last tile of the row having the flanges on the three sides as above explained. When
the roof is completely laid, the flashing and gable tiles may be placed in position,
and lastly, the ridge tiles, and also the hip tiles when such are used. The two
latter are nailed or otherwise firmly secured to the woodwork of the roof. By
means of these tiles a perfectly wind and weathor tight roof may be obtained.
J