A roof tile with enhanced engagement between overlapped roof tiles and an assembly thereof

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a roof tile (100) comprising a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102) extending along one edge of the central portion (101)

Description

[0001]

[0002] A ROOF TILE WITH ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN OVERLAPPED ROOF TILES AND AN ASSEMBLY THEREOF

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention generally relates to the field of roofing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a roof tile with enhanced engagement between overlapped roof tiles, and assembly thereof.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION roof tiles are integral components of roofing systems to shield underlying structures against elements, such as rainwater and sunlight. They can be designed to channel rainwater away and prevent seepage of rainwater into the underlying structures when assembled.

[0006] For example, United States Patent Number US9605432B1 disclosed a roofing system assembled from a plurality of roof tiles. Each of the roof tiles comprises an upper surface with an elongated groove assembly located near to a ridge side portion of the roof tile. Additionally, each of the roof tiles comprises a lower surface with a tongue element configured to engage with the elongated groove assembly of another roof tile when assembled.

[0007] However, the roof tiles of the United States Patent may be difficult and time-consuming to be assembled as the tongue element of the roof tiles has to be precisely inserted into the elongated groove assembly of the adjacent roof tiles. Improper alignment between the tongue element and the elongated groove assembly may result in poor engagement between the roof tiles. Besides, the roof tiles of the United States Patent may be difficult to fabricate as the elongated groove assembly and the tongue element have to be separately formed on or attached to each roof tile. Consequently, this may increase the production cost of the roof tile.

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a roof tile with enhanced engagement between overlapped roof tiles when assembled, in which the roof tile is easy to fabricate and install on a roof during assembly.

[0009] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a roof system involving a roof tile comprising a Z-shape profile and an inwardly incline profile for respectively engaging with the inwardly inclined profile and the Z-shape profile of a similar overlapped roof tile, thereby enhancing engagement between the overlapped roof tiles when assembled.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a roof tile that is easy to fabricate and install on a roof during assembly, thereby reducing production and assembly costs of the roof tile.

[0012] Further aspect of the present invention is to provide a roof tile that is capable of channelling rainwater away and preventing seepage of rainwater into underlying structures, thereby improving longevity of the roof tile and the underlying structures.

[0013] At least one of the preceding aspects is met, in whole or in part, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a roof tile (100) comprising a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102) extending along one edge of the central portion (101) to provide a Z-shape profde (103) above one face of the central portion (101), and an eave side portion (104) extending along an opposite edge of the central portion (101) to provide an inwardly inclined profde (105) below an opposite face of the central portion (101), the eave side portion (104) being configured to interlock with the Z-shape profile (103) of the ridge side portion (102) of a similar overlapped roof tile (100), whereby the interlocked inwardly inclined profile (105) and the Z-shape profile (103) enhances the engagement between overlapped roof tiles (100) when assembled.

[0014] Preferably, the inwardly inclined profile (105) is formed in such a way that an angle (1051) between the inwardly inclined profile (105) and the central portion (101) is substantially identical to interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) of the Z-shape profile (103).

[0015] More preferably, the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) are substantially 30° to substantially 80°.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central portion (101) has a concave profile (106) to facilitate water flow and reduce splashing effect.

[0017] Still, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central portion (101) comprises an accommodating portion (107) formed at least in proximity to the eave side portion (104) for covering a fastener (108) installed on the ridge side portion (102) of an overlapped roof tile (100) when assembled.

[0018] In one embodiment, the roof tile (100) is made of metal or an alloy.

[0019] Further embodiment of the present invention describes a roof tile assembly (500) comprising two or more roof tiles (100) extending from an eave side of a roof to a ridge side of the roof when assembled, wherein each of the roof tiles (100) comprises a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102) extending along one edge of the central portion (101) to provide a Z-shape profile (103) above one face of the central portion (101), and an eave side portion (104) extending along an opposite edge of the central portion (101) to provide an inwardly inclined profile (105) below an opposite face of the central portion (101), the eave side portion (104) being configured to interlock with the Z-shape profile (103) of the ridge side portion (102) of a similar overlapped roof tile (100), whereby the interlocked inwardly inclined profile (105) and the Z-shape profile (103) enhances the engagement between overlapped roof tiles (100) when assembled.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the present invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the present invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a roof tile (100) of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a Z-shape profile (103) of the roof tile (100).

[0024] Figure 3 shows an inwardly inclined profile (105) of the roof tile (100).

[0025] Figure 4 shows a central portion (101) of the roof tile (100) comprising a concave profile (106) and an accommodating portion (107).

[0026] Figure 5 shows a roof tile assembly (500) of the present invention.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the present invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

[0029] The present invention relates to a roof tile (100), as illustrated in Figure 1. The roof tile

[0030] (100) generally comprises a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102), and an eave side portion (104).

[0031] The “ridge side” herein refers to the side that is closer to a ridge of a roof, which is generally the highest part of the roof where two roof planes meet. On the other hand, the “eave side” herein refers to the side that is closer to an eave of the roof, which is generally the lowest part of the roof.

[0032] Referring to Figure 2, the ridge side portion (102) extends along one edge of the central portion (101) to provide a Z-shape profile (103) above one face of the central portion

[0033] (101). The Z-shape profile (103) resembles the shape of the letter “Z” when viewed from the side, which includes two interior vertex angles (1031, 1032).

[0034] Preferably, the eave side portion (104) is being configured to interlock with the Z-shape profile (103) of the ridge side portion (102) of a similar overlapped roof tile (100). Referring to Figure 3, the eave side portion (104) extends along an opposite edge of the central portion (101) to provide an inwardly inclined profile (105) below an opposite face of the central portion (101). Advantageously, the interlocked inwardly inclined profile (105) and the Z-shape profile (103) enhances the engagement between overlapped roof tiles (100) when assembled.

[0035] Preferably, the inwardly inclined profde (105) is formed in such a way that an angle

[0036] (1051) between the inwardly inclined profde (105) and the central portion (101) is substantially identical to the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) of the Z-shape profde (103). This allows the inwardly inclined profde (105) and the Z-shape profde (103) of the roof tiles (100) to overlap each other while leaving minimal gap therebetween, thereby preventing water or waste debris to clog between the roof tiles (100). Besides, the minimal gap between the roof tiles (100) can prevent structural deformation of the metal roof tiles (100) over time. The structural deformation of the roof tiles is not desirable as it can adversely affect the engagement between the metal roof tiles (100).

[0037] Preferably, the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) are substantially 30° to substantially 80°. It should be understood that a slightly deviation between the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032), such as in the range of 1° to 5°, may be acceptable as long as the roof tiles (100) can still be overlapped with each other. Besides, the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) can be varied based on gradient or steepness of the roof. For example, the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) can be larger for a steeper roof.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 4, the central portion (101) of the roof tile (100) has a concave profde (106). The concave profde (106) forms a flow channel along a centreline of the roof tile (100), which can concentrate rainwater therealong, thereby facilitating water flow and reducing splashing effect as the water flows from an upper roof tile (100) to a lower roof tile (100). Advantageously, the roof tile (100) is capable of channelling rainwater away and preventing seepage of rainwater into underlying structures, thereby improving longevity of the roof tile (100) and the underlying structures.

[0039] Still, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 4, the central portion (101) of the roof tile (100) comprises an accommodating portion (107) formed at least in proximity to the eave side portion (104) of the roof tile (100).

[0040] The accommodating portion (107) is generally a protrusion for covering a fastener (108) installed on the ridge side portion (102) of an overlapped roof tile (100) when assembled. Advantageously, the accommodating portion (107) protects the fastener (108) against rainwater to prevent rusting.

[0041] Alternatively, the accommodating portion (107) can be extended along a portion of the centreline of the roof tile (100), preferably from the proximity of the ridge side portion (102) to the proximity of the eave side portion (104). In this configuration, the accommodating portion (107) splits the rainwater that comes into contact into two streams, thereby slowing the water flow and further reducing the splashing effect. Besides, the protrusion of the accommodating portion (107) generally enhances amount of load that the roof tile (100) can withstand as compared to a flat profile roof tile. This is advantageous to maintain structural integrity of the roof tile (100) and prevent deformation thereof, especially during assembly where workers will step on the roof tile (100).

[0042] Advantageously, the roof tile (100) of the present invention is easy to fabricate as it does not require the attachment of additional components to the tile body. Besides, the Z-shape profile (103) and the inwardly inclined profile (105) allow easy overlapping between roof tiles (100), thereby enabling an easier installation of the roof tiles (100) during assembly. Overall, these contributes to a reduced production and assembly costs.

[0043] The present invention further relates to a roof tile assembly (500), as illustrated in Figure 5. The roof tile assembly (500) comprises two or more of the aforementioned roof tiles (100) extending from the eave side of the roof to the ridge side of the roof when assembled. The roof tile assembly (500) can channel rainwater effectively from the eave side of the roof to the ridge side of the roof while reducing the splashing effect as the rainwater falls from one roof tile (100) to the other.

[0044] The roof tiles (100) in the present invention can be made of metal or an alloy thereof. For instance, metal such as iron, aluminium, or zinc can be used. For instance, metal alloy such as brass, steel, stainless steel can be used. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiment described herein is not intended as limitations on the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A roof tile (100) comprising: a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102) extending along one edge of the central portion (101) to provide a Z-shape profde (103) above one face of the central portion (101), and an eave side portion (104) extending along an opposite edge of the central portion (101) to provide an inwardly inclined profde (105) below an opposite face of the central portion (101), the eave side portion (104) being configured to interlock with the Z-shape profile (103) of the ridge side portion (102) of a similar overlapped roof tile (100), whereby the interlocked inwardly inclined profile (105) and the Z-shape profile (103) enhances the engagement between overlapped roof tiles (100) when assembled.

2. The roof tile (100) according to claim 1, wherein the inwardly inclined profile (105) is formed in such a way that an angle (1051) between the inwardly inclined profile (105) and the central portion (101) is substantially identical to interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) of the Z-shape profile (103).

3. The roof tile (100) according to claim 2, wherein the angle (1051) and the interior vertex angles (1031, 1032) are substantially 30° to substantially 80°.

4. The roof tile (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion (101) has a concave profile (106) to facilitate water flow and reduce splashing effect.

5. The roof tile (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion (101) comprises an accommodating portion (107) formed at least in proximity to the eave side portion (104) for covering a fastener (108) installed on the ridge side portion (102) of an overlapped rooftile (100) when assembled.

6. The roof tile according to any one of the preceding claims is made of metal or an alloy.

7. A roof tile assembly (500) comprising: two or more roof tiles (100) extending from an eave side of a roof to a ridge side of the roof when assembled, wherein each of the roof tiles (100) comprises a tile body comprising a central portion (101), a ridge side portion (102) extending along one edge of the central portion (101) to provide a Z-shape profde (103) above one face of the central portion (101), and an eave side portion (104) extending along an opposite edge of the central portion (101) to provide an inwardly inclined profde (105) below an opposite face of the central portion (101), the eave side portion (104) being configured to interlock with the Z-shape profile (103) of the ridge side portion (102) of a similar overlapped roof tile (100), whereby the interlocked inwardly inclined profile (105) and the Z-shape profile (103) enhances the engagement between overlapped roof tiles (100) when assembled.

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