Patent ID: 8307599

Claim:
A molded synthetic shingle having a lower edge and an upper edge and having: (a) a tab portion of a first height extending from the lower edge of the shingle and being adapted to be weather-exposed in the installed condition on a roof; (b) a headlap portion of a second height, greater than said first height and extending from the upper edge of the shingle, with the headlap portion being adapted to be weather-unexposed in the installed condition on a roof, with the headlap portion being of greater width between right and left edges of the headlap portion than the width between right and left edges of the tab portion; (c) the shingle having a top side and a bottom side; with the bottom side being adapted to be applied toward a roof in the installed condition on a roof; (d) with the headlap portion including a top surface on the top side of the shingle; (e) a plurality of fastener locations on the top surface of the headlap portion of the shingle near to and above the tab portion and spaced inside the right and left edges of the headlap portion; and (f) a molded moisture guard protruding upwardly from the top surface of the headlap portion of the shingle, at least partially surrounding each fastener location, for deflecting moisture from the at least one fastener location; and (g) wherein the bottom side of the tab portion of the shingle is provided with downwardly protruding projections carried thereby, with each downwardly protruding projection comprising means for cooperative engagement with an upwardly protruding moisture guard on the top surface of the headlap portion of an associated other shingle.