Shingle with reinforcement layer

1. A laminated shingle of at least two layers of shingle material, one being an anterior layer and the other being a posterior layer, with the posterior layer having front and rear surfaces, a width defined by upper and lower edges and a length defined by right and left edges, the posterior layer comprising:

(a) a base layer of mat having front and rear surfaces;

(b) a coating of asphaltic material on both front and rear surfaces of the mat;

(c) coatings of granular material on said both front and rear surfaces of the mat thereto, which, together with said base layer of mat and said coating of asphaltic material comprise a first thickness layer;

(d) a longitudinal fastening zone between right and left shingle edges, generally intermediate said upper and lower edges;

(e) a generally longitudinal reinforcement second thickness layer of a substantially thinner dimension than said first thickness layer; said reinforcement second thickness layer being adhered to said rear surface of said posterior layer of said shingle and extending at least substantially between right and left edges of the shingle; and

(f) said reinforcement layer extending at least partially lower than the fastening zone, toward the lower edge of the shingle and at least partially into the fastening zone toward the upper edge of the shingle.

2. A laminated shingle of at least two layers of shingle material, one being an anterior layer and the other being a posterior layer, with the posterior layer having front and rear surfaces, a width defined by upper and lower edges and a length defined by right and left edges, the posterior layer comprising:

(a) a base layer of mat having front and rear surfaces;

(b) a coating of asphaltic material on both front and rear surfaces of the mat;

(c) coatings of granular material on said both front and rear surfaces of the mat thereto, which, together with said base layer of mat and said coating of asphaltic material comprise a first thickness layer;

(d) a longitudinal fastening zone between right and left shingle edges, generally intermediate said upper and lower edges;

(e) a generally longitudinal reinforcement second thickness layer of a substantially thinner dimension than said first thickness layer; said reinforcement second thickness layer being adhered to said rear surface of said posterior layer of said shingle and extending at least substantially between right and left edges of the shingle; and

(f) said reinforcement layer extending at least partially into the fastening zone.

3. The shingle of claim 2 , whereby fasteners applied through the fastening zone will pass through the reinforcement layer.

4. The shingle of claim 2 , wherein said reinforcement layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of woven or nonwoven:

(i) thin fabric;

(ii) plastic film;

(iii) paper;

(iv) parchment;

(v) foil; and

(vi) scrim.

5. The shingle of claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement is adhered to the lower surface of the shingle by an additional post-applied thin layer of asphaltic or non-asphaltic adhesive.

6. The shingle of any claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement layer is exposed and uncovered on the rear surface of the shingle.

7. A method of making a laminated shingle of at least two layers of shingle material, one being an anterior layer and the other being a posterior layer, with the posterior layer having front and rear surfaces, a width defined by upper and lower edges and a length defined by right and left edges, comprising making a posterior layer by the steps of:

(a) providing a base layer of mat having front and rear surfaces;

(b) providing a coating of asphaltic material on both said front and rear surfaces of the mat;

(c) providing coatings of granular material on the asphaltic material on said both front and rear surfaces; so that structures of clauses (a), (b) and (c) comprise a first thickness layer;

(d) providing a longitudinal fastening zone between right and left shingle edges, generally intermediate said upper and lower shingle edges;

(e) providing a generally longitudinal reinforcement second thickness layer of a substantially thinner dimension than said first thickness layer; and adhering the reinforcing layer to the rear surface of the posterior layer of the shingle, against the outer surface of the granular material on the surface thereof, extending at least substantially between right and left edges of the shingle;

(f) having the reinforcement layer extend at least partially into the fastening zone; whereby

(g) fasteners applied through the fastening zone will pass through the reinforcement layer.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the shingle is provided with an upper headlap portion and a lower tab portion; the tab portion comprising a plurality of tabs spaced by slots that extend upward toward the headlap portion from the lower edge; and providing the fastening zone such that it is generally located above the tab portion.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the shingle is provided with an upper headlap portion and a lower tab portion; the tab portion comprising a single tab; and providing the fastening zone such that it is generally located above the tab portion.

10. The method of claim 7 , including leaving the reinforcement layer exposed and uncovered on the rear surface of the posterior layer.