Stepped tile shingle

Abstract

A shingle includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the two opposing sides, a length defined by the distance between the upper end and the lower end. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a side wall that extends downward from the body adjacent one of the sides and extends the length of the shingle. The side wall preferably includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end.

1 . A shingle configured for attachment to a roof surface, the shingle comprising:
 a body having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, wherein the body has a width defined as the distance between the two opposing sides, a length defined by the distance between the upper end and the lower end; and   a first side wall extending downward from the body adjacent the first side and extending the length of the shingle, wherein the first side wall includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end.   
   
   
       2 . The shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the shingle further comprises a second side wall extending downward from the body adjacent the second side wall and extending the length of the shingle, wherein the second side wall includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end. 
   
   
       3 . The shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the shingle further comprises a dam extending downward from the body adjacent the upper end and extending the width of the shingle. 
   
   
       4 . The shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the shingle further comprises a lip extending downward from the body adjacent the lower end and extending the width of the shingle. 
   
   
       5 . The shingle of  claim 1  wherein the shingle further comprises a brace extending downward from the bottom side of the shingle between the two sides, wherein the brace is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the first side wall. 
   
   
       6 . The shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the shingle further comprises a plurality of braces extending downward from the bottom side of the shingle and equidistantly spaced between the two sides, wherein each of the plurality of braces is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the first side wall. 
   
   
       7 . The shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the shingle further comprises a fastener reinforcement having a plurality of support columns extending from the bottom side, wherein the plurality of support columns are spaced apart to receive a fastener inserted through the body from the top surface. 
   
   
       8 . The shingle of  claim 7 , wherein the shingle comprises a plurality of fastener reinforcements. 
   
   
       9 . A shingle configured for attachment to a roof surface, the shingle comprising:
 a body; and   a side wall extending downward from the body, wherein the side wall includes an angular projection.   
   
   
       10 . The shingle of  claim 9 , wherein the shingle further comprises a dam extending downward from the body, wherein the dam is configured to divert moisture from passing under the shingle. 
   
   
       11 . The shingle of  claim 9 , wherein the shingle further comprises a lip extending downward from the body, wherein the lip is configured to divert moisture from passing under the shingle. 
   
   
       12 . The shingle of  claim 9  wherein the shingle further comprises a brace extending downward from the body, wherein the brace is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the side wall. 
   
   
       13 . The shingle of  claim 9 , wherein the shingle further comprises a plurality of braces extending downward from the body, wherein each of the plurality of braces is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the side wall. 
   
   
       14 . A shingle configured for attachment to a roof surface, the shingle comprising:
 a body having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, wherein the body has a width defined as the distance between the two opposing sides, a length defined by the distance between the upper end and the lower end;   a first side wall extending downward from the body adjacent the first side and extending the length of the shingle, wherein the first side wall includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end;   a second side wall extending downward from the body adjacent the second side wall and extending the length of the shingle, wherein the second side wall includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end;   a dam extending downward from the body adjacent the upper end and extending the width of the shingle, wherein the dam is configured to divert moisture from passing under the shingle;   a lip extending downward from the body adjacent the lower end and extending the width of the shingle, wherein the lip is configured to divert moisture from passing under the shingle; and   a brace extending downward from the bottom side of the shingle between the two sides, wherein the brace is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the first side wall.   
   
   
       15 . The shingle of  claim 14 , wherein the shingle further comprises a plurality of braces extending downward from the bottom side of the shingle and equidistantly spaced between the two sides, wherein each of the plurality of braces is configured in congruency with the angular projection of the first side wall. 
   
   
       16 . The shingle of  claim 15 , wherein the shingle further comprises a fastener reinforcement having a plurality of support columns extending from the bottom side, wherein the plurality of support columns are spaced apart to receive a fastener inserted through the body from the top surface. 
   
   
       17 . The shingle of  claim 16 , wherein the shingle comprises a plurality of fastener reinforcements.