Roofing system and roofing tile

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved roofing tile and roofing tile system that simulates the appearance of wood shake and has an improved strength to weight ratio. One embodiment of the roofing tile system includes two unique tile profiles, an “A” profile and a “B” profile, wherein tiles having an “A” profile are alternately or randomly installed adjacent tiles having a “B” profile to simulate the appearance of wood shakes. In addition, each roofing tile is formed of a clay material and includes ribs that extend normally from a lower face of the tile, which improves the strength to weight ratio of each tile. Furthermore, each tile includes touch points that extend from the a face of the tile to engage receiving portions on a tile positioned vertically adjacent to the tile, which prevents the tiles from moving relative to each other.

1 . A roofing tile made of clay material that simulates the appearance of a wood shake, said roofing tile comprising, said roofing tile further comprising: 
 a head end;    a nose end;    a body intermediate said head end and said nose end;    a wood grain design on an upper face of said roofing tile adjacent to said body and said nose end; and    a plurality of primary ribs extending substantially normally from a lower face of said roofing tile and extending along a length of said body from said head end to said nose end;    a plurality of secondary ribs extending substantially normally from a lower face of said roofing tile and extending along a length of said body, said secondary ribs having a length that is shorter than a length of said primary ribs;    wherein each of said ribs comprises at least one wide portion and at least one narrow portion, and said wide portion being positioned adjacent one or more portions of said tile having less flexural strength.    
   
   
       2 . The roofing tile of  claim 1  wherein said body includes: 
 a left side portion,    a right side portion, and    a center portion disposed intermediate said side portions,    wherein said center portion has a reduced cross-section from said side portions and wherein a first of said one or more ribs is positioned under a transition area between said left side portion and said center portion, a second of said ribs is positioned under a transition area between said right side portion and said center portion, and a third of said ribs is positioned under a transition area between said head end and said center portion.    
   
   
       3 . A roofing tile system for simulating the appearance of a wood shake roof, said system comprising: 
 a first roofing tile having a first unique profile, said first roofing tile comprising: 
 a head end,  
 a nose end, and  
 a body,  
 wherein said nose end and said body have a substantially uniform cross-section and include a simulated wood grain design on an upper face of said first roofing tile; and  
   a second roofing tile having a second unique profile, said second unique profile being different than said first unique profile, said second roofing tile comprising: 
 a nose end,  
 a head end, and  
 a body, said body including a center portion intermediate a left side portion and a right side portion,  
 wherein said center portion has a reduced cross section than said side portions, and said side portions have substantially the same cross section as said body of said first roofing tile;  
   wherein said first tile is installed horizontally adjacent to said second tile.    
   
   
       4 . The roofing tile system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of said first roofing tiles and a plurality of said second roofing tiles, wherein said first roofing tiles are assembled horizontally adjacent to and in an alternating arrangement with said roofing second tiles.  
   
   
       5 . The roofing tile system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of said first roofing tiles and a plurality of said second roofing tiles, wherein said first roofing tiles are randomly assembled horizontally adjacent to said first roofing tiles and said second roofing tiles.  
   
   
       6 . The roofing tile of  claim 3  wherein said center portion of said second roofing tile has a shorter length than said side portions of said second roofing tile, and said side portions of said second roofing tile have substantially the same length as the body of said first roofing tile.  
   
   
       7 . A roofing system comprising a plurality of roofing tiles, each of said tiles comprising: 
 a head end having an upper transverse ridge and a lower transverse ridge;    a nose end;    a first face comprising at least one first touch point adjacent said head end and at least one second touch point adjacent said nose end, said first and second touch points extending substantially normally from said first face; and    a second face, said second face being opposite said first face and said second face defining a first touch surfaces adjacent said upper transverse ridge and a second touch surface adjacent said lower transverse ridge;    wherein, said first touch point of a first tile is adapted for engaging said first touch surfaces of a second tile that is stacked vertically adjacent said first tile to prevent relative movement of said first tile and said second tile, and said second touch point of said first tile is adapted for engaging said second touch surface of said second tile positioned in a below laid-course to align the overlap of said nose end of said first tile with said head end of said second tile.