GB2245617A - A tile - Google Patents

Abstract

The tile 10, typically a roof tile, is formed as a one-piece body which has an upper surface 12 formed to define a plurality of simulated tiles 30, 34. The tile body may be formed with channels 13, 22 at opposite edges which co-operate with similar channels of adjacent tiles. <IMAGE>

Description

A TILE The invention relates to a tile.

It has been known for many years to use small sized roofing tiles on houses. Such tiles were used extensively during the 1930's. During the 1950's and after that time larger tiles formed by moulding became more popular in the tiling trade but in recent times the smaller 1930's type tile has regained popularity. However, the overall cost of using small sized tiles is high compared to the cost of using larger tiles and an object of the invention is to provide means for producing the effect of small tiling but in a more economical manner than known hitherto.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tile comprising a one piece body having an upper surface formed to define a plurality of simulated tiles.

Such an arrangement has the advantage of providing a lower cost large tile with the appearance of a plurality of small sized tiles.

The simulated tiles are preferably arranged in end to end relation across the tile.

The simulated tiles may be arranged in rows which, in use, lie one above another. The rows are preferably arranged so as to give the appearance of overlapping so that tiles in one row give the appearance of overlapping tiles in an adjacent lower row.

Each simulated tile may have a width which is equal to or less than half the width of the tile.

One row of simulated tiles may comprise two complete simulated tiles having adjacent edges preferably slightly spaced apart. An immediately adjacent row of tiles may comprise one full width simulated tile positioned, for example, substantially centrally in relation to the aforesaid adjacent edges, and two simulated part-tiles. The simulated part tiles preferably have edges arranged adjacent, preferably slightly spaced from, edges of the full width simulated tile. In that way the rows of simulated tiles will take on a staggered appearance.

The body may be formed with a channel adjacent an edge of the tile for overlapping co-operation with a channel of an adjacent tile, said edge when the tile is in use extending in the up and down direction.

The channels enable adjacent tiles to overlap each other to inhibit leakage of water therebetween.

Preferably one end of each row of simulated tiles terminates at said channel. The other end of each row of simulated tiles preferably terminates at the opposite edge of the tile.

The body may be formed with a second channel adjacent an opposite edge of the tile for receiving a channel of a second adjacent tile.

The channel or at least one of the channels may include a recess formed therein. A projection may be formed in the body spaced from the recess. The projection preferably locates in a recess formed in a channel of an adjacent tile, and the recess in the channel of the first said tile preferably receives a projection on the adjacent tile.

The channel or at least one of the channels of the first said tile may include a further recess for inhibiting travel of water across its channel. The further recess may be disposed between said projection and the first said recess.

Where first and second channels are provided, they are preferably formed in respective upper and lower surface portions of the body.

When tiles are arranged in a row, the aforesaid rows of simulated tiles will preferably be aligned to provide a staggered array of small-sized tiles.

The upper surface of the tile may include, adjacent an edge which is uppermost when the tile is in use, a rebate on the tile for receiving a lower surface part of a further tile adjacent an edge which is lowermost when the further tile is in use. This arrangement enables a leak inhibiting overlap to be obtained between tiles arranged one above the other.

A lower edge of a row of simulated tiles which is lowermost when the tile is in use may be co-terminus with a lower edge of the tile.

A transverse recess is preferably provided towards a lower edge of the tile and within a lower surface part of the tile. The transverse recess helps to prevent capillary action of water between the lower surface part of the tile and the top of an underlying tile. Two such transverse recesses may be arranged one adjacent the other.

Conveniently, the tile may include, adjacent an edge which is uppermost in use, at least one nib-like projection extending from a lower surface. Nib-like projections are normally placed over laths on a roof structure to mount the tile.

A roof tile in accordance with the invention will now be described by of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an upper side of a roof tile in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lower side of the roof tile in Fig 1, Fig. 3 is a section through the roof tile in Fig 1 on line III-III in Fig 1, and Fig.4 is a perspective view of several roof liles, of the type shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3, in use on part of a roof.

A roof tile 10 is formed as a one piece body which has a substantially rectangular shape.

An interlocking channel 13 extends adjacent an edge 11 in an upper surface 12 of the tile 10. The channel 13 is defined between a projection 16 and a vertical wall 14 spaced from the edge 11. The channel 13 has a base 15 which is formed with a recess 18 immediately adjacent the wall 14. A flat surface 17 is formed between the projection 16 and the recess 18. The depth of the channel 13 is substantially half the thickness of the tile 10.

A second interlocking channel 22 extends adjacent a second edge 20 in a lower surface 9 of the tile 10.

The channel 22 is defined between a projection 19 and a vertical wall 21 spaced from the projection 19.

The channel 22 has a base 24 formed with a recess 25 immediately adjacent the wall 21. The channel 22 is of substantially identical cross-section to the channel 13 except that the base 24 is formed with a further recess 23. The depth of the channel 22 is substantially half the thickness of the tile 10.

A plurality of simulated tiles 30, 34, is formed on the upper surface 12. There are three rows 31, 32,33 of simulated tiles 30, 34. Each row 31, 32, 33 extends from adjacent the wall 14 of the groove 13 to the second edge 20.

First and third rows 31, 33 comprise two complete simulated tiles 30 spaced apart to define gulleys 29 therebetween. Second row 32 comprises a central complete simulated tile 30 with a simulated half tile 34 spaced from each side so as to define gulleys 29 therebetween. Recesses 28 are provided at each end of rows 31, 33. The recesses 28 define half gulleys.

When tiles 10 are arranged together as in Fig.4 (and as shown in broken outline at the right hand end of Fig.3), the half gulleys together define a gulley 29.

Ends of each row 32 have a right angled edge to provide a flush fit of simulated half tiles 34 between adjacent tiles 10. In use, this creates the impression of a whole simulated tile.

The upper surfaces of simulated tiles of one row are contained in a common plane which is parallel with a common plane containing upper surfaces of simulated tiles in an adjacent row. The planes are inclined to a plane in which the tile generally lies. This arrangement simulates the overlap effect of a roof having conventional small-sized tiles.

A flat rebate 38 extends from the first row of simulated tiles 31 towards an upper edge 39 on the upper surface 12 of each tile 10.

Two nibs 41 project downwards from the lower surface 9 adjacent the upper edge 39 of the tile 10.

Two transverse grooves 43 are provided on the lower surface 21 of the tile 10. The grooves 43 extend from adjacent the edge 11 to the vertical wall 21 of the groove 22.

In Fig. 4, a number of tiles 10 are shown mounted on roofing laths 50. A lower row 53 of tiles 10 rests on a beam 51 at its lower end.

The nibs 41 of each tile 10 are placed over the appropriate lath 50. Further tiles 10 are placed in position by engaging the interlocking channel 22 of one tile 10 within the interlocking channel 13 of the tile 10. In that position the projections 16, 19 locate in the corresponding recesses 18, 25 so that the tiles interlock and overlap each other to provide a secure and substantially leak-proof fit.

The assembly of two rows (indicated at 52, 53) of large tiles 10 gives the appearance of six rows of small-sized tiles.

In Fig. 4 the rebates 38 receive part of the lower surface 9 of each tile 10 in the upper row 52. Lower edges 36 of the tiles 10 in the upper row 52 abut or lie closely adjacent upper edges of the first row 31 of simulated tiles of the lower row 53.

The upper row 52 is offset laterally from the lower row 53 to maintain the offset nature of the simulated tiles over the roof.

The tiles 10 may be further secured to the laths 50 by nails.

Part of a tile may 10 be cut off to provide a tile for an end of the roof.

Instead of using the tiles 10 for roofing they could be used for wall cladding.

The tiles may be suitably overlapped to avoid the need to provide interlocking channels 13, 22.

Claims (28)

1. A tile comprising a one piece body having an upper surface formed to define a plurality of simulated tiles.

2. A tile according to Claim 1 in which the simulated tiles are preferably arranged in end to end relation across the tile.

3. A tile according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the simulated tiles are arranged in rows which, in use, lie one above another.

4. A tile according to Claim 3 in which the rows are arranged so as to give the appearance of overlapping so that simulated tiles in one row appear to overlap the simulated tiles in an adjacent lower row.

5. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which each simulated tile may have a width which is equal to or less than half the width of the tile.

6. A tile according to Claim 3 or 4 or Claim 5 when appendant to Claim 3 or 4 in which one row of simulated tiles comprises two complete simulated tiles.

7. A tile according to Claim 6 in which the two simulated tiles have adjacent edges slightly spaced apart.

8. A tile according to Claim 6 or 7 in which an immediately adjacent row of tiles comprises one full width simulated tile.

9. A tile according to Claim 8 in which the full width simulated tile is positioned centrally in relation to the aforesaid adjacent edges, and two simulated part-tiles.

10. A tile according to Claim 9 in which the simulated part tiles have edges arranged adjacent edges of the full width simulated tile.

11. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which the body is formed with a channel adjacent an edge of the tile for overlapping co-operation with a channel of an adjacent tile, said edge when the tile is in use extending in the up and down direction.

12. A tile according to Claim 3 or any of Claims 4 to 11 when appendant to Claim 3 in which one end of each row of simulated tiles terminates at said channel.

13. A tile according to Claim 12 in which the other end of each row of simulated tiles terminates at the opposite edge of the tile.

14. A tile according to Claim 11, 12 or 13 in which the body is formed with a second channel adjacent an opposite edge of the tile for receiving a channel of a second adjacent tile.

15. A tile according to any of Claims 11 to 14 in which the channel or at least one of the channels includes a recess formed therein.

16. A tile according to Claim 15 in which a projection is formed in the body spaced from the recess.

17. A tile according to Claim 16 in which the projection locates in a recess formed in a channel of an adjacent tile.

18. A tile according to Claim 17 in which the recess in the channel of the first said tile receives a projection on the adjacent tile.

19. A tile according to Claim 11 or any of Claims 12 to 18 when appendant to Claim 14 in which the channel or at least one of the channels of the first said tile includes a further recess for inhibiting travel of water across its channel.

20. A tile according to Claim 19 in which the further recess is disposed between said projection and the first said recess.

21. A tile according to Claim 14 or any of Claims 15 to 20 when appendant to Claim 14 in which the first and second channels are formed in respective upper and lower surface portions of the body.

22. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which, in use, the tiles are arranged in a row such that rows of said simulated tiles will be aligned to provide a staggered array of small-sized tiles.

23. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which the upper surface of the tile includes, adjacent an edge which is uppermost when the tile is in use, a rebate on the tile for receiving a lower surface part of a further tile adjacent an edge which is lowermost when the further tile is in use.

24. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which a lower edge of a row of simulated tiles which is lowermost when the tile is in use is co-terminus with a lower edge of the tile.

25. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which a transverse recess is provided towards an edge of the tile which is lowermost when the tile is in use and within a lower surface part of the tile.

26. A tile according to Claim 25 in which two said transverse recesses are arranged one adjacent the other.

27. A tile according to any preceding Claim in which the tile includes adjacent an edge which is uppermost in use, at least one nib-like projection extending from a lower surface.

28. A tile constructed and aranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.