Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6609337
-
Patent Number
6,609,337
-
Date Filed
Thursday, August 9, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 26, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Slack; Naoko
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 101
- 052 519
- 052 520
- 052 521
- 052 543
- 052 560
- 052 536
- 052 541
- 052 552
- 052 556
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tile for a pitched roof. The tile includes a body that overlies the pitched roof and a plurality of protrusions that stick outwardly from the body and function as heat sinks that sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy from being transmitted to the pitched roof. The body includes a lower portion that is made of a thermal insulating material and an upper portion that is a metallic plate. The metallic plate extends past the lower portion of the body so as to form an overhang that defines an undercut. The undercut of one tile receives a portion of a next lowest tile, and in so doing, interlocks the one tile and the next lowest tile, and in so doing, allows the metallic plate of the one tile to directly contact, and be continuous with, the metallic plate of the next lowest tile for improved heat transfer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tile. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tile for a pitched roof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for roof coverings have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,866 to Oser et al. teaches a method of deep embossing sheet material, generally metal. A small scale relief pattern is first embossed across the entire sheet and thereafter a deep embossment of spaced-apart protuberances is imparted to the sheet. Both patterns in combination produce a sheet useful for reflective thermal insulation without the risk of significantly puncturing the sheet.
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,451 to Symbold teaches a shingle formed from a sheet of thin metal such as aluminum having a narrow border portion and a plurality of strips of various lengths depending from the border. The shingles are attached to a roof by nailing through the border portion such that the strips overlap the border portions of adjacent shingles thereby producing a simulation of a natural thatched roof.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,664 to Loucks teaches roofing components and method for pitched roofs that includes a flexible base and one or more ranks of integrally formed thin blades, vanes or fins extending outwardly from the base. The blades, fins or vanes are spaced substantially parallel to each other and overlap to shadow lower elements and to provide air circulation and between blades, which are designed to sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy being transmitted to the roof. The blades, fins or vanes are flexible and resilient so as to absorb the impact of falling material (limbs, etc.). One edge portion of the base is free of blades to provide an overlapped area for installation on a pitched roof. Various overlapping and interlocking arrangements are disclosed for sealing purposes.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,855 to Loucks teaches roofing components and method for pitched roofs that includes a flexible base and one or more ranks of integrally formed thin blades, vanes or fins extending outwardly from the base. The blades, fins or vanes are spaced substantially parallel to each other and overlap to shadow lower elements and to provide air circulation and between blades, which are designed to sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy being transmitted to the roof. The blades, fins or vanes are flexible and resilient so as to absorb the impact of falling material (limbs, etc.). One edge portion of the base is free of blades to provide an overlapped area for installation on a pitched roof. Various overlapping and interlocking arrangements are disclosed for sealing purposes.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,626 to Loucks teaches roofing components and method for pitched roofs that includes a flexible base and one or more ranks of integrally formed thin blades, vanes or fins extending outwardly from the base. The blades, fins or vanes are spaced substantially parallel to each other and overlap to shadow lower elements and to provide air circulation and between blades, which are designed to sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy being transmitted to the roof. The blades, fins or vanes are flexible and resilient so as to absorb the impact of falling material (limbs, etc.). One edge portion of the base is free of blades to provide an overlapped area for installation on a pitched roof. Various overlapping and interlocking arrangements are disclosed for sealing purposes.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for roof coverings have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a tile for a pitched roof that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a tile for a pitched roof that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a tile for a pitched roof that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a tile for a pitched roof. The tile includes a body that overlies the pitched roof and a plurality of protrusions that stick outwardly from the body and function as heat sinks that sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy from being transmitted to the pitched roof. The body includes a lower portion that is made of a thermal insulating material and an upper portion that is a metallic plate. The metallic plate extends past the lower portion of the body so as to form an overhang that defines an undercut. The undercut of one tile receives a portion of a next lowest tile, and in so doing, interlocks the one tile and the next lowest tile, and in so doing, allows the metallic plate of the one tile to directly contact, and be continuous with, the metallic plate of the next lowest tile for improved heat transfer.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1
is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken on line
2
—
2
in
FIG. 1
of a first embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 3
is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken on line
3
—
3
in
FIG. 1
of a second embodiment of the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
First Embodiment
10
tile of present invention for pitched roof
12
12
pitched roof
14
body for directly overlying pitched roof.
16
plurality of protrusions for sluffing-off heat and impeding thermal energy from being transmitted to pitched roof
12
, while preventing birds from perching on pitched roof
12
18
lower portion of body
14
for directly overlying, and completely contacting, pitched roof
12
20
upper portion of body
14
22
innermost surface of lower portion
18
of body
14
for directly contacting pitched roof
12
24
lowermost edge of innermost surface
22
of lower portion
18
of body
14
26
uppermost edge of innermost surface
22
of lower portion
18
of body
14
28
lowermost surface of lower portion
18
of body
14
30
terminal edge of lowermost surface
28
of lower portion
18
of body
14
32
uppermost surface of lower portion
18
of body
14
34
terminal edge of uppermost surface
32
of lower portion
18
of body
14
36
outermost surface of lower portion
18
of body
14
38
plate of upper portion
20
of body
14
40
innermost surface of plate
38
of upper portion
20
of body
14
42
outermost surface of plate
38
of upper portion
20
of body
14
44
uppermost edge of plate
38
of upper portion
20
of body
14
46
lowermost edge of plate
38
of upper portion
20
of body
14
47
uppermost portion of body
14
for attaching to pitched roof
12
48
overhang of plate
38
of upper portion
20
of body
14
49
conventional roofing nails
50
undercut of body
14
51
throughbores in uppermost portion
47
of body
14
52
innermost end of each protrusion of plurality of protrusions
16
53
outermost end of each protrusion of plurality of protrusions
16
for dissipating heat
54
foot on innermost end
52
of each protrusion of plurality of protrusions
16
56
weld of each protrusion of plurality of protrusions
16
Second Embodiment
110
tile of present invention for pitched roof
12
114
body
118
lower portion of body
114
122
innermost surface of lower portion
118
of body
114
124
lowermost edge of innermost surface
122
of lower portion
118
of body
114
128
lowermost surface of lower portion
118
of body
114
132
uppermost surface of lower portion
118
of body
114
146
lowermost edge of plate
138
158
first surface of lowermost surface
128
of lower portion
118
of body
114
160
terminal edge of first surface
158
of lowermost surface
128
of lower portion
118
of body
114
162
second surface of lowermost surface
128
of lower portion
118
of body
114
164
terminal edge of second surface
162
of lowermost surface
128
of lower portion
118
of body
114
166
third surface of lowermost surface
128
of lower portion
118
of body
114
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to
FIG. 1
, the tile of the present invention is shown generally at
10
,
110
for a pitched roof
12
.
A first embodiment of the tile
10
can best be seen in
FIG. 2
, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The tile
10
comprises a body
14
that has a complete length and is for directly overlying the pitched roof
12
.
The tile
10
further comprises a plurality of protrusions
16
that stick directly outwardly from the body
14
and function as heat sinks for sluffing-off heat and impeding thermal energy from being transmitted to the pitched roof
12
, while preventing birds from perching on the pitched roof
12
.
The body
14
comprises a lower portion
18
for directly overlying, and completely contacting, the pitched roof
12
.
The body
14
further comprises an upper portion
20
that directly overlies, and is attached to, the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The body
14
further comprises a bonding agent that attaches the upper portion
20
of the body
14
to the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The lower portion
18
of the body
14
is made of thermal insulating material.
The thermal insulating material of which the lower portion
18
of the body
14
is made of is foam.
The lower portion
18
of the body
14
has an innermost surface
22
that is flat and is for directly contacting the pitched roof
12
.
The innermost surface
22
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
has a lowermost edge
24
, an uppermost edge
26
, and a width.
The lower portion
18
of the body
14
further has a lowermost surface
28
that extends outwardly from the lowermost edge
24
of the innermost surface
22
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
, to a terminal edge
30
thereof, and has a height.
The height of the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
is much less than the width of the innermost surface
22
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
, and as a result thereof, prevents the body
14
from projecting too far from the pitched roof
12
.
The lower portion
18
of the body
14
further has an uppermost surface
32
that is flat and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the uppermost edge
26
of the innermost surface
22
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
, to a terminal edge
34
thereof, and has a height.
The lower portion
18
of the body
14
further has an outermost surface
36
that is flat and extends from the terminal edge
30
of the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
, to the terminal edge
34
of the uppermost surface
32
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The height of the uppermost surface
32
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
is less than the height of the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
so as to allow the outermost surface
36
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
to pitch downwardly and outwardly relative to the pitched roof
12
.
The lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
is flat and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the lowermost edge
24
of the innermost surface
22
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The uppermost surface
32
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
is parallel to the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The upper portion
20
of the body
14
is a plate
38
.
The plate
38
is thin, flat, and rectilinear.
The plate
38
is metallic.
The plate
38
has a color.
The plate
38
has an innermost surface
40
, an outermost surface
42
with a complete area, an uppermost edge
44
, and a lowermost edge
46
.
The innermost surface
40
of the plate
38
directly overlies, and is attached to, the outermost surface
36
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
.
The uppermost edge
44
of the plate
38
is coplanar with the uppermost surface of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
and forms therewith an uppermost portion
47
of the body
14
for attaching to the pitched roof
12
by conventional roofing nails
49
, in so doing, creates throughbores
51
in the uppermost portion
47
of the body
14
.
The lowermost edge
46
of the plate
38
extends past the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
so as to form an overhang
48
.
The overhang
48
of the body
14
extends along the complete length of the body
14
.
The overhang
48
of the body
14
together with the lowermost surface
28
of the lower portion
18
of the body
14
define an undercut
50
.
The undercut
50
of the body
14
extends along the complete length of the body
14
.
The undercut
50
of the body
14
of one tile
10
receives, and is completely filled by, the uppermost portion
47
of the body
14
of a next lowest tile
10
, and in so doing, completely interlocks the one tile
10
and the next lowest tile
10
together, and in so doing, allows the plate
38
of the one tile to directly contact, and be continuous with, the plate
38
of the next lowest tile
10
for improved heat transfer, while the overhang
48
of the one tile
10
covers the conventional roofing nails
49
holding the next lowest tile
10
to the pitched roof
12
, and in so doing, shields and protects against weather entering the throughbores
51
in the uppermost portion
47
of the body
14
created by the conventional roofing nails
49
.
The plurality of protrusions
16
stick directly outwardly and downwardly from the outermost surface
42
of the plate
38
, at an acute angle relative thereto.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are parallel to each other.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are spaced-apart from each other over the complete area of the outermost surface
42
of the plate
38
so as to provide complete coverage of the outermost surface
42
of the plate
38
therewith.
The plurality of protrusions
16
have a color.
The color of the plurality of protrusions
16
matches the color of the plate
38
so as to form a same color for the pitched roof
12
.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are slender and elongated.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are resilient.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are pins.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are hairs.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are spikes.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are fibers.
The plurality of protrusions
16
are metallic.
Each protrusion
16
has an innermost end
52
and an outermost end
53
that is free for dissipating the heat.
The innermost end
52
of each protrusion
16
has a foot
54
thereon that is attached to the outermost surface
42
of the plate
38
.
Each protrusion
16
further has a weld
56
that attaches the foot
54
of each protrusion
16
to the outermost surface
42
of the plate
38
.
A second embodiment of the tile
110
can best be seen in
FIG. 3
, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The tile
110
is similar to the tile
10
, except that:
1. The lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
has a first surface
158
that is flat and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the lowermost edge
124
of the innermost surface
122
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
, to a terminal edge
160
.
2. The first surface
158
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
is parallel to the uppermost surface
132
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
.
3. The lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
further has a second surface
162
that is flat and extends perpendicularly downwardly from the terminal edge
160
of the first surface
158
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
, to a terminal edge
164
.
4. The second surface
162
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
is parallel to the plate
138
.
5. The lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
further has a third surface
166
that is flat and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the terminal edge
164
of the second surface
162
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
, and therewith, supplements the overhang of the plate
138
, and in so doing, prevents the plate
138
of the one tile
110
from directly contacting the plate
138
of the next lowest tile
110
so as to allow the plate
138
of the one tile
110
to be spaced-apart from, and discontinuous with, the plate
138
of the next lowest tile
110
for improved RF reception.
6. The third surface
166
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
is parallel to the first surface
158
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
.
7. The third surface
166
of the lowermost surface
128
of the lower portion
118
of the body
114
is coplanar with the lowermost edge
146
of the plate
138
.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a tile for a pitched roof, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A tile for a pitched roof, comprising:a) a body; and b) a plurality of protrusions sticking directly outwardly from said body; wherein said body has a complete length; wherein said body is for directly overlying the pitched roof; wherein said plurality of protrusions function as heat sinks for sluffing-off heat and impeding thermal energy from being transmitted to the pitched roof; wherein said plurality of protrusions is for preventing birds from perching on the pitched roof; wherein said body comprises a lower portion; wherein said lower portion of said body is for directly overlying the pitched roof; wherein said lower portion of said body is for completely contacting the pitched roof; wherein said body further comprises an upper portion; wherein said upper portion of said body directly overlies said lower portion of said body; wherein said upper portion of said body is attached to said lower portion of said body; wherein said lower portion of said body has an innermost surface; wherein said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; wherein said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body is for directly contacting the pitched roof; wherein said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body further has a lowermost edge; wherein said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body further has an uppermost edge; wherein said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body further has a width; wherein said lower portion of said body further has a lowermost surface; wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends outwardly from said lowermost edge of said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body, to a terminal edge thereof; wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body has a height; wherein said lower portion of said body further has an uppermost surface; wherein said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; wherein said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends perpendicularly outwardly from said uppermost edge of said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body, to a terminal edge thereof; wherein said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body has a height; wherein said lower portion of said body further has an outermost surface; wherein said outermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; wherein said outermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends from said terminal edge of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body, to said terminal edge of said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body; wherein said upper portion of said body is a plate; wherein said plate has an innermost surface; wherein said plate further has an outermost surface; wherein said outermost surface of said plate has a complete area; wherein said plate further has an uppermost edge; wherein said plate further has a lowermost edge; said uppermost edge of said plate is coplanar with said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body; wherein said uppermost edge of said plate and said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body form an uppermost portion of said body; wherein said uppermost portion of said body is for attaching to the pitched roof by conventional roofing nails, in so doing, creates throughbores in said uppermost portion of said body; wherein said lowermost edge of said plate extends past said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body so as to form an overhang; wherein said overhang of said body together with said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body define an undercut; wherein said undercut of said body of one tile receives, and is completely filled by, said uppermost portion of said body of a next lowest tile, and in so doing, completely interlocks said one tile and said next lowest tile, and in so doing, allows said plate of said one tile to directly contact, and be continuous with, said plate of said next lowest tile for improved heat transfer, while said overhang of said one tile covers the conventional roofing nails holding said next lowest tile to the pitched roof, and in so doing, shields and protects against weather entering said throughbores in said uppermost portion of said body created by the conventional roofing nails; wherein each protrusion has an innermost end; wherein each protrusion further has an outermost end; wherein said outermost end of each protrusion is free for dissipating the heat; wherein said innermost end of each protrusion has a foot thereon; wherein said foot of each protrusion is attached to said outermost surface of said plate; wherein each protrusion further has a weld; and wherein said weld of each protrusion attaches said foot of each protrusion to said outermost surface of said plate.
- 2. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said body further comprises a bonding agent; and wherein said bonding agent of said body attaches said upper portion of said body to said lower portion of said body.
- 3. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said lower portion of said body is made of thermal insulating material.
- 4. The tile as defined in claim 3, wherein said thermal insulating material of which said lower portion of said body is made of is foam.
- 5. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said height of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is much less than said width of said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body, and as a result thereof, prevents said body from projecting too far from the pitched roof.
- 6. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said height of said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body is less than said height of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body so as to allow said outermost surface of said lower portion of said body to pitch downwardly and outwardly relative to the pitched roof.
- 7. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate is thin;wherein said plate is flat; and wherein said plate is rectilinear.
- 8. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate is metallic.
- 9. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate has a color.
- 10. The tile as defined in claim 9, wherein said plurality of protrusions have a color.
- 11. The tile as defined in claim 10, wherein said color of said plurality of protrusions matches said color of said plate so as to form a same color for the pitched roof.
- 12. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said innermost surface of said plate directly overlies said outermost surface of said lower portion of said body;wherein said innermost surface of said plate is attached to said outermost surface of said lower portion of said body.
- 13. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said overhang of said body extends along said complete length of said body.
- 14. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said undercut of said body extends along said complete length of said body.
- 15. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions stick directly outwardly and downwardly from said outermost surface of said plate, at an acute angle relative thereto.
- 16. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are parallel to each other.
- 17. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are spaced-apart from each over said complete area of said outermost surface of said plate so as to provide complete coverage of said outermost surface of said plate therewith.
- 18. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are slender; and wherein said plurality of protrusions are elongated.
- 19. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are resilient.
- 20. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are pins.
- 21. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are hairs.
- 22. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are spikes.
- 23. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are fibers.
- 24. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of protrusions are metallic.
- 25. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; andwherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends perpendicularly outwardly from said lowermost edge of said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body.
- 26. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body is parallel to said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body.
- 27. The tile as defined in claim 1, wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body has a first surface;wherein said first surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; and wherein said first surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends perpendicularly outwardly from said lowermost edge of said innermost surface of said lower portion of said body, to a terminal edge.
- 28. The tile as defined in claim 27, wherein said first surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is parallel to said uppermost surface of said lower portion of said body.
- 29. The tile as defined in claim 27, wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body further has a second surface;wherein said second surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; and wherein said second surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends perpendicularly downwardly from said terminal edge of said first surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body, to a terminal edge.
- 30. The tile as defined in claim 29, wherein said second surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is parallel to said plate.
- 31. The tile as defined in claim 29, wherein said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body further has a third surface;wherein said third surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is flat; wherein said third surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body extends perpendicularly outwardly from said terminal edge of said second surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body; and wherein said third surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body and said second surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body supplement said overhang of said plate, and in so doing, prevents said plate of one tile from directly contacting said plate of a next lowest tile so as to allow said plate of said one tile to be spaced-apart from, and discontinuous with, said plate of said next lowest tile for improved RF reception.
- 32. The tile as defined in claim 31, wherein said third surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is parallel to said first surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body.
- 33. The tile as defined in claim 31, wherein said third surface of said lowermost surface of said lower portion of said body is coplanar with said lowermost edge of said plate.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 3535737 |
Apr 1987 |
DE |
