Patent ID: 7781046

Claim:
A shingle having front and rear surfaces, a width defined by upper and lower edges and a length defined by right and left edges, comprising: (a) a base layer of mat having front and rear surfaces; (b) a coating of asphaltic material on both front and rear surfaces of the mat; (c) coatings of granular material on both front and rear surfaces and adhered thereto, which, together with said base layer of mat and coatings of asphaltic material comprise a first thickness layer; (d) a longitudinal fastening zone between right and left shingle edges, generally intermediate said upper and lower edges; (e) a generally longitudinal reinforcement second thickness layer of a substantially thinner dimension than said first thickness layer, adhered to said shingle and extending at least substantially between right and left edges of the shingle; and (f) said reinforcement layer extending at least partially into the fastening zone.