Prefabricated offset shingle

Abstract

An exemplary prefabricated offset shingle includes a headlap portion extending from a top edge to a nail zone, a tab portion extending from the nail zone to a bottom edge, the headlap portion and the tab portion extending between first and second side edges. Two transverse cuts extend from the bottom edge to the headlap portion, and frangible lines of weakness in line with the transverse cuts extend from the transverse cuts to the top edge. The cuts and lines of weakness separate the shingle into first, second, and third offset portions having first, second, and third widths.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An offset shingle comprising:
 a headlap portion extending from a top edge to a tab portion, the tab portion extending from the headlap portion to a bottom edge, the headlap portion and the tab portion extending between first and second side edges; and   two transverse cuts extending from the bottom edge to the headlap portion; and   frangible lines of weakness in line with the transverse cuts, the lines of weakness extending from the transverse cuts to the top edge;   wherein the cuts and lines of weakness separate the shingle into first, second, and third offset portions having first, second, and third widths;   wherein the first width is equal to an offset distance;   wherein the second width is greater than the first width by at least the offset distance; and   wherein the third width is greater than the second width by at least the offset distance.   
     
     
         2 . The prefabricated offset shingle of  claim 1 , wherein the cuts extend from the bottom edge to the top edge. 
     
     
         3 . An offset shingle comprising:
 a headlap portion extending from a top edge to a tab portion, the tab portion extending from the headlap portion to a bottom edge, the headlap portion and the tab portion extending between first and second side edges; and   three transverse cuts extending from the bottom edge to the headlap portion; and   frangible lines of weakness in line with the transverse cuts, the lines of weakness extending from the transverse cuts to the top edge;   wherein the cuts and lines of weakness separate the shingle into first, second, third, and fourth offset portions having first, second, third, and fourth widths;   wherein the first width is equal to an offset distance;   wherein the second width is greater than the first width by at least the offset distance;   wherein the third width is greater than the second width by at least the offset distance; and   wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width by at least the offset distance.   
     
     
         4 . The prefabricated offset shingle of  claim 3 , wherein the cuts extend from the bottom edge to the top edge. 
     
     
         5 . A package of offset shingles, the package comprising:
 a box having an interior width equal to about one-half of a full shingle width; and   a plurality of offset shingle segments disposed in the box, the shingle segments each having a front face, a rear face, a headlap portion extending from a top edge to a tab portion, the tab portion extending from the headlap portion to a bottom edge, a width, a sealant proximate the bottom edge of the rear face, and a release tape proximate the top edge of the rear face;   wherein a maximum shingle segment width is equal to about one-half of the full shingle width; and   wherein the shingle segments are arranged in two-layer stacks such that the sealant of a first layer aligns with the release tape of a second layer, and the sealant of the second layer aligns with the release tape of the first layer.   
     
     
         6 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, and third widths;   the second width is greater than the first width; and   the third width is greater than the second width.   
     
     
         7 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, and third widths;   the first width is equal to an offset distance;   the second width is greater than the first width by at least the offset distance; and   the third width is greater than the second width by at least the offset distance.   
     
     
         8 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 7 , wherein the offset distance is about one-sixth of the full shingle width. 
     
     
         9 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, and third widths;   the second width is greater than the first width and the third width.   
     
     
         10 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, and third widths;   the third width is equal to one-half of the full shingle width; and   the first width plus the second width is equal to the third width.   
     
     
         11 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, third, and fourth widths;   the second width is greater than the first width;   the third width is greater than the second width; and   the fourth width is greater than the third width.   
     
     
         12 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, third, and fourth widths;   the first width is equal to an offset distance;   the second width is greater than the first width by at least the offset distance;   the third width is greater than the second width by at least the offset distance; and   the fourth width is greater than the third width by at least the offset distance.   
     
     
         13 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 12 , wherein the offset distance is about one-tenth of the full shingle width. 
     
     
         14 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, third, and fourth widths;   the second width is greater than the first width;   the third width is greater than the second width; and   the fourth width is greater than the third width.   
     
     
         15 . The package of offset shingles of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the shingle segments have first, second, and third widths;   the third width is equal to one-half of the full shingle width; and   the first width plus the second width is equal to the third width.