Roofing System with Hook and Loop Rain Diverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roofing systems for natural stone tiles, such as slate, are expensive, labor-intensive, and require rigid layouts, leading to increased material costs and weight due to double or triple overlap configurations, which can be problematic for rainwater and snowmelt management.
Innovation Solution
A roofing system utilizing hook and loop fasteners on tiles and elongate rain diverting devices that allow for a lighter, more cost-effective installation method, where tiles are secured with a sheet material and rain diverting devices that direct water and snowmelt away from the underlying substrate, enabling single overlap and adaptable layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If double or triple overlap configuration is used for natural stone roofing tiles, then rainwater and snowmelt management is improved, but weight and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water management function from the tile overlap structure itself and relocates it to a dedicated rain diverting device. This allows the tiles to use a lighter single overlap configuration while the separate device handles water diversion, resolving the contradiction between water management effectiveness and roof weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the roofing system into distinct functional components: the roofing tiles for coverage, the sheet material for substrate protection, and the rain diverting device for water management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling lighter tiles with single overlap while maintaining effective water diversion through the dedicated device.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If double or triple overlap configuration is used for natural stone roofing tiles, then rainwater and snowmelt management is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water management function from the tile overlap structure and places it in a separate rain diverting device. This allows the use of shorter, less expensive tiles with single overlap configuration, reducing material costs while maintaining effective rainwater and snowmelt diversion through the dedicated device.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the roofing system into tiles, sheet material, and rain diverting device, the patent allows each component to be optimized for cost-effectiveness. The tiles can be shorter and require less material, while the rain diverting device provides the necessary water management function at a lower overall material cost.
3Strength
If traditional nailing or screwing systems are used for affixing roofing tiles, then tile attachment strength is improved, but labor intensity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (nails or screws requiring drilling and fastening operations) with an adhesive bonding system. This substitution eliminates the labor-intensive fastening steps while maintaining strong tile attachment, thereby increasing installation productivity without sacrificing attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive system allows tiles to be self-adhered to the sheet material through direct application, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations. This self-service approach simplifies the installation process and increases productivity while maintaining adequate attachment strength for the roofing system.
4Strength
If hook and rail systems or clamping track systems are used for affixing roofing tiles, then tile attachment is improved, but adaptability to varying field conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses adhesive bonding which allows for continuous adjustment of attachment parameters during installation. The adhesive can accommodate variations in substrate surface conditions, tile positioning requirements, and field conditions, providing both strong attachment and high adaptability that rigid mechanical systems cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive bonding system provides dynamic adaptability during installation, allowing installers to adjust tile positioning and attachment pressure as needed for varying field conditions. This contrasts with rigid mechanical systems that require precise pre-set patterns, enabling the adhesive system to adapt to actual installation conditions while maintaining strong tile attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces material costs and weight, simplifies installation, and effectively manages rainwater and snowmelt, while maintaining the strength of tile bonds and allowing for easier adjustments during installation.
Implementation Method 1
the upper surface including a hook and loop fastener
Implementation Method 2
an elongate rain diverting device for directing rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material and/or roof deck
Data Source
AI summary
A roofing system and method, which includes elongate rain diverting devices for directing rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material and roof deck, is provided. The system includes roofing tiles having strips of hook and loop fasteners (H&L strips) adhered to both faces. The rain diverting devices have an H&L strip adhered along a lower edge of both faces. As each new row of tiles is installed on the roof deck, the device is applied over an upper portion of the tiles, extending over and onto the sheet material above the tiles, and across the roof deck. As additional rows of tiles are installed, each device is releasably attached to underlying and overlying tiles by way of the H&L strips adhered to both the tiles and the device. The devices also allow for single lap tiling (less weight on roof deck) and for use of shorter tiles (saving material cost).