U.S. patent application number 10/797830 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for soffit support.
Invention is credited to Brochu, Guy, Brochu, Stephane.
Application Number | 20050223657 10/797830 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35059109 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050223657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brochu, Guy ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Soffit support
Abstract
The support structure for a soffit which comprises a first
member having a central vertical section with a support element
extending outwardly from a lower portion thereof and the retaining
structure located proximate an upper end of the central vertical
section, a second member having a central section adapted to lie
adjacent the central section of the first member with the second
member having engaging means located at a lower portion thereof
designed to engage the support element of the first member and the
second member having a second portion extending upwardly and
outwardly to abut a soffit, the arrangement being such that the
second member central section is retained between the retaining
structure of the first member and the support element of the first
member. This provides an arrangement wherein the soffit is
supported without any outwardly visible attaching beams.
Inventors: |
Brochu, Guy; (Sainte-Foy,
CA) ; Brochu, Stephane; (St-Jean-Chrysostome,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric Fincharn
316 Knowlton Road
Lac Brome
QC
J0E 1V0
CA
|
Family ID: |
35059109 |
Appl. No.: |
10/797830 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/152 20130101;
E04D 13/158 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/094 |
International
Class: |
E04D 013/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A support structure for a soffit, said support structure
comprisinig: a first member having a central vertical section, a
support element extending outwardly from a lower portion of said
central vertical section, a retaining structure located proximate
an upper portion of said central vertical section; a second member
having a second member central section adapted to lie adjacent said
central section of said first member, said second member having
engaging means located at a lower portion of said central section,
said engaging means being designed to engage said support element
of said first member, said second member having a second portion
extending upwardly and outwardly to abut a soffit; the arrangement
being such that said second member central section is retained
between said retaining structure of said first member and said
support element of said first member.
2. The support structure of claim 1 wherein said support element
comprises an outwardly directed flange, said vertical section of
said second member having a plurality of projections extending
outwardly towards said first member, the arrangement being such
that said projections rest on said outwardly directed flange.
3. The support structure of claim 1 wherein said first member and
said second member are formed from metallic sheet material.
4. The support structure of claim 3 wherein said metallic sheet
material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and
aluminum alloys.
5. The support structure of claim 1 wherein said retaining means
first member has a U-shaped channel sized to frictionally receive
and engage said planar portion of said second member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved facia and
soffit structure for buildings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The facia is that part of a building where the roof
terminates. Typically, most residences and relatively small
commercial or industrial establishments utilize a sloping roof. The
roof structure includes a plurality of rafters upon which a solid
material such as plywood or the like is placed. Subsequently, a
weatherproofing component is applied on top thereof, the
weatherproofing component typically being asphalt tiles although
metal, shakes, other types of tiles, and composite materials have
all been known to be utilised.
[0003] At the point where the rafters terminate, a facia is
installed and extends along the ends of the rafters. Typically, the
facia may comprise a wooden member and/or a metal member secured to
the rafter ends. Typically, the metal member has a L-shaped
configuration which extends along the facia and inwardly towards
the soffit portion of the eaves.
[0004] A soffit structure is generally utilized to provide
ventilation to the air space under the roof. Typically, the soffit
will comprise a piece of metal or plastic having apertures therein
to permit the passage of air into the air space. A second outlet
such as a roof vent is provided to encourage the flow of air
therethrough.
[0005] The arrangement of the facia and soffit has essentially not
changed for many years. The facia will usually comprise a wooden
strip nailed along the ends of the rafters and this is then covered
by a metal or plastic facia member. However, it is also known to
only use the metal or plastic facia.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
support member for a soffit and also to provide an integrated facia
and soffit structure.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a support structure for a soffit, the support structure
comprising a first member having a central vertical section, a
support element extending outwardly from a lower portion of the
central vertical section, a retaining structure located proximate
an upper portion of the central vertical section, a second member
having a second member central section adapted to lie adjacent the
central section of the first member, the second member having
engaging means located at a lower portion of said central section,
the engaging means being designed to engage the support element of
the first member, the second member having a second portion
extending upwardly and outwardly to abut a soffit, the arrangement
being such that the second member central section is retained
between the retaining structure of the first member and the support
element of the first member.
[0008] The first member of the soffit support structure is designed
to be secured to a substrate and to retain and support the second
member which in turn supports the soffit. As such, the first member
will have a section which is designed to lie adjacent to a vertical
structure such as the building wall and will also have a section
which is designed to lie underneath the soffit.
[0009] The first member, in order to fulfill its function as a
means of securing and retaining the second member, has to ensure
that the second member remains securely retained in position,
preferably without the use of any fastening members.
[0010] To this end, the first member may be secured either through
the vertical portion to an adjacent wall or alternatively along the
horizontal portion to the underside of the roof structure. If
desired, the first member could be secured to both of the
structures. The means for fastening the first member may include
all the conventional methods including the use of mechanical
fastening members, adhesives, etc.
[0011] The second member has a first section which is designed to
be secured to and retained by the first member, and a second
section which is designed to support the soffit.
[0012] The first section is designed to be retained by and secured
to the first member and preferably is retained by means of a slight
compression thereof. To this end, the first section of the second
member has its upper and lower portions engaged by the first
member. Conveniently, this is accomplished by engaging means
located at a lower portion of the first section and which engaging
means seat on the lower support element of the first member while
an upper portion is retained within a channel formed at an upper
portion of the vertical section of the first member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Having thus generally described the invention, reference
will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an
embodiment thereof, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support structure for a
soffit in conjunction with a facia system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the first member of the
support structure;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side-sectional view of the second member of the
soffit support; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference
characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a facia support
system generally designated by reference numeral 10 and which facia
support system is described in co-pending patent application Ser.
No. 10/780,192, the disclosure which is hereby incorporated by
reference. Associated with facia support system 10 is a soffit
structure 12 which is shown and described in co-pending patent
application Ser. No. 10/780,193, the teachings of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0021] The soffit support of the present invention includes a first
member generally designated by reference numeral 14. First member
14 has a vertical wall section 16 which, at its upper end,
terminates in an upper bight 18. Extending downwardly from upper
bight 18 is a second vertical section 20 which likewise terminates
in a lower bight 22. As may be seen in FIG. 3, a channel 17 is thus
formed between sections 16 and 20. Channel 17 has an inwardly
tapered configuration.
[0022] From lower bight 22, first member 14 has an upwardly
extending section 24 which terminates in a horizontal section
26.
[0023] As may be best seen in FIG. 3, at the lower end of vertical
wall section 16, there is provided a flange 28 for reasons which
will become apparent hereinbelow.
[0024] A second member of the soffit support is generally
designated by reference numeral 30 and includes a second member
central section 32 having an upper bight 34. As may be best seen in
FIG. 5, tabs 36 are formed within central section 32 and extend
rearwardly thereof.
[0025] At the lower end of central section 32, there is provided an
arcuate section generally designated by reference numeral 38 and
which in turn continues as a diagonally extending side wall
generally designated by reference numeral 40. Side wall 40
terminates in a horizontal section 42 which in turn continues as an
inwardly turned horizontal section 46 through bight 44.
[0026] In use, first member 14 is suitably secured to a structure
either by a means of vertical section 16 or horizontal section 26
by suitable means (not shown). Subsequently, central section 32 of
second member 30 is inserted in channel 17 with tabs 36 resting on
flange 28. Naturally, flange 28 could be angled upwardly to better
engage tabs 36. The sizing is such that the top of central section
32 is frictionally engaged within channel 17 and securely held
thereby. A downwardly extending pressure is put on tabs 36.
[0027] In so doing, soffit 12 is then supported by the horizontal
sections 42 and 46.
[0028] It will be understood that the above described embodiment is
for purposes of illustration only and that changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *