Roofing Shingle Aperture Position for Nail Gun Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of slate or tile shingles on roofs is labor-intensive and prone to damage due to the use of manual fastening methods, which often result in cracked or broken shingles, especially when using nail guns that lack sufficient depth control, leading to increased labor costs and time consumption.

Innovation Solution

A shingle design with apertures spaced closer to the upper end, allowing for automatic fastening using a nail gun, reducing the length and force required for fasteners, and an adjustable nail gun for precise depth control to minimize damage and expedite the installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual fastening methods are used to install slate or tile shingles, then the shingles can be securely fastened to the roof deck, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Holes are pre-formed in the shingles at optimized positions before installation. This preliminary action allows for faster installation by eliminating the need to drill holes during the fastening process, while ensuring holes are positioned at optimal locations for secure attachment without damaging the shingle material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If nail guns are used to automatically fasten shingles, then installation time is reduced, but the shingles are frequently cracked or damaged due to lack of depth control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidshingle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener parameters (length, drive depth) are optimized and standardized to work with the pre-formed hole positions. By controlling the fastener drive depth to stop at the pre-formed hole location, the system achieves automatic fastening without over-driving that would crack the shingles, thus maintaining both speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If holes are formed one-fourth to one-third from the upper end of shingles, then fasteners can be positioned to secure the shingle, but the fasteners may break or fracture the shingle due to unsupported portions in tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener positioningVSAvoidshingle integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hole position parameter is optimized to a specific distance from the upper end of the shingle. This optimized positioning ensures that the fastener engages the shingle in a location with adequate support behind it, preventing the shingle from being pulled apart or fractured by the fastening force while still allowing for efficient installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of repair

If copper slating nails are used for slate roofs, then the shingles can be easily repaired with a slate ripper, but the nails are soft and easily bent or damaged during manual driving

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverepairabilityVSAvoidfastening difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical fastening system is replaced with an automated pneumatic or electric nail gun system. This substitution eliminates the need for manual hammering, which causes bending and damage to soft copper nails, while the pre-formed hole positions ensure proper fastener placement for both installation and future repair operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11053685B1Slate or tile shingle and method of hanging a shingle to a roof using a nail gun

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 MCDONOUGH MICHAEL J

AI summary

A shingle and a method of hanging the shingle by a fastener driven by a nail gun. The shingle can be formed from slate or made of clay, ceramic, glass, or concrete. The shingle includes at least one aperture for a fastener. The aperture is spaced a predetermined distance from an upper end of the shingle.