Interlockable Roof Tiles with Adjustable Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof tiles are prone to breakage during transit and installation, are heavy, and do not have features to assist roofers in adjusting for out-of-square roofs or varying gauge settings, leading to safety issues and high transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
Interlockable tiles with underside and upper surface arrangements that include formations for adjustable tiling gauges and fixing devices, allowing for interlocking and alignment to facilitate secure placement and adjustment, and can be made from lightweight materials like recycled plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional roof tiles are used, then they provide structural coverage, but they are heavy and prone to breakage during transit and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional heavy materials (slate, clay, concrete) to lightweight materials (recycled plastic, polyethylene, PFA composite), achieving weight reduction while maintaining durability through material selection and interlocking design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials, specifically a mixture of pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and plastic (high density polyethylene), to create tiles that are both lightweight and durable, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight
2Ease of operation
If traditional roof tiles are used, then they provide coverage, but they require manual carrying that restricts vision and hinders movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the weight parameter by using lightweight materials, making tiles easier to handle and install without restricting vision or movement, directly improving ease of operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional roof tiles are used, then they provide coverage, but they lack features to assist with out-of-square roofs or varying gauge settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable and adaptable features including multiple aperture positions for varying gauge settings, elongate slots for sideways movement, and water runs for drainage adjustment, making the tile system dynamic and adaptable to different roof conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tile design into functional components (formations, apertures, slots, water runs) that can independently adjust to different requirements, providing adaptability without excessive overall complexity
4Reliability
If traditional roof tiles are used, then they provide coverage, but they are susceptible to breakage during transit and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials (PFA and plastic mixture) that are inherently more resistant to breakage during transit and installation compared to traditional brittle materials like slate, clay, or concrete
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates flexible features such as elongate slots that allow sideways movement and adjustment, reducing stress and breakage risk during installation while maintaining structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An interlockable tile (100) includes a plurality of sets of upper surface arrangements (110A-110C, 110A′-110C′) and a corresponding plurality of sets of underside arrangements (109′). First sets of the upper surface arrangements (110A-110C) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent a first side edge (104C) of the tile (100). Second sets of the upper surface (110A-110C′) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) of the tile, in use, the upper surface arrangement of the tile interlocking with a corresponding underside arrangement on an overlapping tile. The tile also includes a first formation (114) at or adjacent one side edge (104C), and a second formation (112) at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) that, in use, interlocks with a corresponding said first formation of an adjacent roof tile.