US1870491A - Roof for toy structures - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 9, 1932. p CHURCH 1,870,491

ROOF FOR TOY STRUCTURES Filed Aug. 22, 1930 i la I INVENTOR, AR THUR P. CHURCH.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1932 ARTHUR, P. CHURCH, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA noor non TOY srnuc'runns Application filed August 22, 1930. Serial No. 477,053.

My invention relates to sectional roof structures, and particularly to such structures as adapted to structural toys.

Among the objects of myinvention are:

Toiprovide a roof structure which is pleasing in appearance, and simulates a full size roof; to provide a structure which able to roofs of any size; to provide a structure which is weatherproof and will afford 19 actual protection to outdoor toy buildings; to provide a structure which is easily erected; and to provide a structure which is durable and is readily manufactured.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of my invention herein described, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the gable of a toy building, and showing a ridge section and two side sections of a roof,

leuilt in accordance with my invention, in

cross section.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the under side of a ridge section of the roof structure.

Figure 3 is a similar View showing the under side of a side section.

Figure A is a detailed view showing the method of attaching the covering material of the roof to a rigid base-plate.

In general terms, the roof structure of my invention comprises a plurality of sections, each of said sections being formed from a substantially rigid base-plate having means on opposite edges thereof for attaching succeeding sections, and a covering material secured to each of the base-pa tes and overlapping the junction with the succeeding section.

The covering material should possess a certain degree of flexibility, but a wide choice is available in its selection, artificial leather, genuine leather, paper products, or celluloid, all being usable for this purpose.

In the preferred form of invention illustrated in the drawing, a portion of a wall 10 of a toy structure is shown, carrying a is adapttruss comprising a cross-member 11 and a pair of cent ends are held by atitting 13 which supports a ridgepole 15.

A suiiicient number of such trusses or other. suitable structures are used satisfactorilyto support the roof.

Two different preferably used, tion but not in principle.

types of roof section are different somewhat lILfllIlC- The ridge sections diagonal roof beams 12 whose adjacomprise a base-plate 16, preferably formed of a substantially rigid material such as sheet H metal. The base-plate is bent along its central line to conform with the desired angle or pitchof the roof which it is wished to build.

Each of the lower edges of the ridge .sec-

tion is provided with meansfor attaching an adjacent section. This means preferably comprises a recurved hook 17 formed by bond.

ingthe edge of the material outward and back upon itself. A suitable covering mates riallS is secured over the top of the baseplate and overlapping its recurved edges... 1

have found that a satisfactory materialfor this cover is imitation leather, i. e., .a fabric having a surface treated to simulate leather.

This materialis durable, may be obtainedin. many pleasing shades, and is substantially waterproof, so that structures formed there? of may be left in the rain without injury.

Other materials such as untreated fabric,

tough paper, ,or oilclotlnmay also beused if desired.

The covering of the ridge section is preferably attached in a manner which does not require that the material be punctured. A satisfactory method is to form the base-plate 16 with a plurality of openings 20 adjacent the bend which forms the ridge. Notches 21 may also be formed at the endsof the ridge bend. A strip of fabric 22 is adhesively applied tothe under side of the base: plate, the holes 20 and notches 21 allowing the strip to be secured directly to thecover= ing material 18. fastening is secured by this method than is possible if it be attempted to secure the cov ering material ,adhesively directly tothe base-plate. 7

A much more. permanent Int} J The side sections are formed as shown in F igure'3, each comprising a base-plate 25 formed with the oppositely recurved hooked edges 26 and 27. A piece of covering material 28 is secured to the base-plate between the edges, and overlying the upwardly recurved edge 27. Since the covering material of these sections may be punctured, adjacent its upper edges, without in any Way har1ning the structure, the simpler method of fastening the covering material shown in Fig-' ure 4 is preferred. Tongues 30, preferably of sharp triangular form, are struck up from the base-plate, leaving the triangular opening 31 therein. These tongues are forced through the covering material 28 and clinched down on the upper side as shown, holding the material firmly against the base-plate.

In constructing the roof, the ridge sections are simply laid over the ridgepole, and the lowersections are attached thereto, the downwardly curved hook edges 26 of the lower sections engaging the upwardly hooked edges 17 of the ridge sections. The extended edges of the covering material on the roof sections overlie the point of attachment of the lower sections, covering the perforations formed by the tongues 30. Additional sections may be hooked on as desired to obtain as extensive a roof as is necessary for the building to be constructed. The roof thus formed is substantially self-supporting. It is possible to lift a ridge section and a large number of lower sections off of the structure together, without dis-assembling the entire roof, which is an advantage in toy structures. The roof has suflicient weight to maintain itself in position, and the overlapping strips of covering material form a roof which is actually weather tight.

I claim:

1. A roof structure comprising a plurality of plates, means on each plate for attaching a succeeding plate, and a cover secured to each plate and extending to overlie its junction with the succeeding plate.

2. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate, means on opposite edges of said plate for joining other sections thereto, and a cover secured to the plate between said edges and overlapping one of said edges to conceal the junction with the succeeding sec- Hon.

3. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate having opposite edges recurved to form hooks for attaching succeeding sections, and a cover secured to the plate between said edges and overlapping one of said edges to conceal the junction with the succeeding section.

4. A. roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate, means adjacent a lower edge of said plate for attaching a succeeding plate, and a flexible cover secured to said plate and overlapping said edge to conceal the junction with the succeeding section.

5. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plane, an upwardly recurved hook formed on the lower edge of said plate for attaching a succeeding section, and a flexible cover attached adjacent the center of said plate and overlapping said hook.

6. A roof section comprising a substantially rigid plate having oppositely recurved hooks formed on opposite edges thereof, and a flexible cover attached between said edges and overlapping the upturned portion of one of said hooks.

7. A ridge section for a roof comprising a substantially rigid plate bent longitudinally to conform to the desired roof angle, means adjacent the lower edges of said plate for attaching succeeding sections thereto, and a flexible cover attached centrally of said plate and overlapping each of said lower edges.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR P. CHURCH.

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