Overlapping tile

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.
1 shows an elongated tile 10 which overlaps another elongated tile 12.
These tiles 10 and 12 are typical of many tiles which overlap to cover an entire wall surface.
However, only two such tiles are shown for simplicity.
Tile 10 has a lip 14 which extends down from the tile 10 and overlaps a flange 16 of the tile 12.
The lip 14 runs the entire length of the tile 10.
The flange 16 runs the entire length of the tile 12.
Each tile 10 and 12 has an edge 18 that is part of a front surface 20 of each tile and which slopes downward from the flange 16.
A bead of mastic 22 or other suitable moisture sealant also runs the length of the tile 10 or 12 between adjacent tiles.
During application of tiles such as 10 and 12, a worker first applies an adhesive to a wall and levels and sets the tile 12 into the adhesive.
The worker then runs a bead of mastic 22 along a top surface 24 of the tile 12.
The worker next places the tile 10 so that a bottom surface 26 of the tile 10 abuts the top surface 24 of the tile 12.
The abutting of the bottom surface 26 and the top surface 24 aligns the entire tile 10 with the tile 12 and slightly compresses the mastic 22.
The lip 14 overlaps the flange 16.
The worker then sets another tile to overlap the tile 10 and continues setting additional tiles until the worker covers the entire wall.
Grouting of joints between the tiles 10 and 12 is not necessary, because the tiles overlap and the mastic seals these joints to keep moisture from seeping behind the tiles.
The edge 18 has two oppositely turning curves comprising a smooth "S" curve of the front surface 20.
This edge 18 carries any moisture or water away from a joint of the lip 14 and flange 16 and down the front surface 20 of the tiles.
The edge slopes or curves sufficiently so that moisture will not accumulate adjacent the flange 16 or behind the lip 14.
FIG.
2 shows a sectional side view of portions of overlapping tiles.
The bottom surface 26 of the upper tile 10 abuts the top surface 24 of the lower tile 12