GB2344833A - Roofing system using used vehicle tyres - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible roof system using tile slabs made from used road tyres. Fixing holes (1) are made into the tiles for securing them to the roof or walling framework. Tiles are laid onto framework battens (19) in parallel vertical rows, concave face outermost, and overlapping the tile below. This layer is overlaid by an offset layer laid in a similar way with but convex face outermost. These are affixed to battens with spars, ties or other fixing device (20) via the fixing holes. Tile ends are fastened down securely through further hole/s (2) made into tile ends, using the same fastening device.

Description

FLEXIBLE ROOF SYSTEM This invention relates to a flexible roof system.

Tile roof systems are common to most cultures of the world. The flexible roof system is manufactured from used vehicle tyres, of which there is an abundant supply. It has the advantage of being possibly cheaper than many other manufactured systems, lighter than earthenware or concrete tiles and providing better insulation properties in comparison with certain types of metal roofing. It's flexibility and securing method will give it advantages over other roof systems in certain conditions or situations, for example in areas prone to earth movement, high winds or coastal areas. It may be particularly useful in agricultural areas for storage, animal housing or shelter. Whole buildings may be constructed by the system including walling.

The system consists of two layers of tiles, laid in different ways, which are secured to roof battens or other roof surfaces. It will provide a new way of constructing a roof system from an existing waste material. It's flexibility and securing method also allows it to be used in conjunction with underlying structures which are roughly constructed and made from recently cut, unmachined poles, for example. It's flexibility would also allow the roof system to be covered with earth or turf.

The object of this invention is to provide an alternative roof system using recycled materials which is both durable and weatherproof in extreme conditions.

Accordingly, this invention comprises roof tile shaped slabs which are produced from vehicle road tyres. Tiles slabs which are made from the part of the tyre including the tread. Tiles which are so made that when viewed from above the longest sides are parallel. Tiles which when placed on roof or wall structure are laid in overlapping fashion and secured to the underlying framework.

The tiles have holes made into them for means of securing them to a roof or wall structure. The fastenings can be made of twisted wire (possibly reclaimed from vehicle tyres or fencing), wire spars, rubber thongs (cut from tyre walls), nails, staples, twine or other materials. special embodiment of the invention will now be lescribed by way of example with reference to the iccompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a roof, partly dismantled : o show its construction.

Figure 2 shows detail of how tiles are laid in sequence ) battens. figure 3 shows how the roof ridge is made.

Figure 4 shows thick wire spar fixing system.

Figure 5 shows how twistable wire is used to secure tiles : o battens.

Figure 6 shows how rubber thongs are used to secure : iles.

Figure 7 shows a cross section through a roof and spacing proportions.

Figure 8 shows tile hole spacing proportions.

Figure 9 shows how tiles are cut from tyre. ig 10 Shows tile example in three views (side, top and : vont elevations) ) imensions mentioned below may be varied depending on -oof structure and materials used. teferring to the drawings Fig 9 and 10, tiles are cut or ? ressed from the tyre tread. Tiles may be approximately 32 cm in length. ss shown in figure 2 the tiles are laid initially in vertical, parallel overlapping rows with concave face outermost, using alternate battens for fixing. Next, in : he same way, a layer of tiles, convex face outermost, ire laid in an offset layer over the first layer. This Layer is fixed onto the other, unused, rows of battens (alternat battens).

Tiles may have fixing holes made into them as shown in figure 10. This would include two vertical holes made into the middle of the tyre (1), being approximately 5 cm from the top, as shown in figure 7 (A). In some cases this may be slightly longer to afford greater weather protection. In which case the overall tile length would be correspondingly longer.

The distance between the holes (1) may be made to correspond with the batten thickness, see figure 7 (B).

A further similar pair of horizontal holes (2) are also made at the lower tile edge. These are approximately one cm from the bottom, as shown in figure 7 (C).

The battens are arranged so that the underlying tile fixing holes are overlapped and so covered by the tile above. In the case of the convex cover tiles the horizontal holes (2) are approximately 1-3 cm further down the roof than the underlying vertical holes (1).

Holes are so arranged to prevent the penetration of water. This is illustrated in Figure 7 (E).

Battens may be spaced so that the central point of the battens are approximate 10 cm apart. This is shown in Figure 7 (D). Alternatively it is also possible for convex and concave tiles to be laid on the same batten in which case batten central points may be approximately 20 cm apart.

Tiles may be fixed with thick wire spars having the appearance of large staples with an overall length of 1213 cm and a width to correspond with the dimension (B) ie. the batten width. For the first tile layer these are pushed down into the vertical holes (1) and bent over the batten (one up, one down fashion). For the covering tile layer, shown in figure 4, the spar is pushed down into the vertical gap (3) between the underlying concave tile layer and bent over the batten as above. A further spar will have been previously threaded through the loop of the spar before tightening (4) and its ends are threaded onto the two horizontal holes of the overlapping tile (5) above it (from underneath). This is then pushed down tightly and the ends are bent underneath (6) to prevent slipping.

Alternatively thinner (twistable) wire can be used (see figure 5) by threading a length around the batten, through the vertical holes from the back (6) and twisting tight (7). This, so far, is the same method for both concave and convex tiles.

For the covering (convex) tiles the two loose ends are then threaded through the horizontal holes in the overlapping tile from underneath (8) and twisted down tightly. The loose ends can be tucked underneath (9).

Rubber thongs cut from the walls of used rubber tyres can be used. In this case the holes are larger and there is only a need for one hole at the lower edge. Thongs may be pulled or pushed through holes and may be assisted with the aid of a tyre repair"plugging"tool.

With the lower (concave) tile layer, thongs are passed around batten through fixing holes and are knotted on the tile surface. For covering (convex) tiles, shown in figure 6, the thong is first knotted at one end and pushed down through the upper hole (10). It is then passed around the batten and up through the second hole and pulled tight (11). Then as before it is passed through the underside of the overlapping covering tile above it and pulled down tightly (12). The loose end is looped under the front of the tile edge and tied off (13).

Ridges (see figure 3) can be capped in the following way.

Upper tiles are made of longer lengths (14) and bent over the apex (as shown). Ridge tiles are fixed using the same securing method.

Ridges at a gradient (see figure 1) can be capped with ridge tiles (15) made in the same way but where a portion of the tyre wall is left on (giving a saddle like appearance). These can be fixed in place with fencing staples at the upper edge of the tile. The staple tops are hidden by the lower edge of the next tile up which overlaps it. This, in turn, may be tied down (16) by threading wire through the staple top and then through holes made into the lower edge of the tile. This is then twisted tight or bent over (depending on thickness).

Tiles may also be cut at an angle to fit the style or shape of the roof (17).

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. A flexible roof system wherein tile shaped slabs are produced from vehicle road tyres. Tiles slabs which are made from the part of the tyre including the tread. Tiles which are so made that when viewed from above the longest sides are parallel. Tiles which when placed on roof or wall structure are laid in overlapping fashion and secured to the underlying framework.
2. 2. A flexible roof system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein tiles have at least one hole for means of securing to a roof or wall or screen structure.
3. 3 A flexible roof system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein tiles have a fastening device which may pass through fastening hole/s as a means of securing the tile to the roof, screen or wall structure.
4. 4. A flexible roof system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein tile's lower edge is secured by the fastening device via holes made into the front edge of the tile.
5. 5. A flexible roof system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein tiles are secured to roof in interlocking concave and convex fashion.
6. 6. A flexible roof system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-10 of the accompanying drawings.