U.S. patent application number 11/903166 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for soffit structure.
Invention is credited to Guy Brochu, Stephen Brochu.
Application Number | 20080072503 11/903166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46329347 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080072503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brochu; Guy ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
Soffit structure
Abstract
A soffit structure which is a sheet member having an upper
surface and bottom surface with a plurality of channels formed in
the sheet members, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom
surface and being defined by at least a pair of opposed side walls,
with apertures formed in the side walls. The side walls are
preferably angled slightly to provide a greater degree of
protection for the apertures formed therein.
Inventors: |
Brochu; Guy; (Quebec,
CA) ; Brochu; Stephen; (St-Romuald, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric Fincham
316 Knowlton Road
Lac Brome
QC
J0E 1V0
CA
|
Family ID: |
46329347 |
Appl. No.: |
11/903166 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10780193 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
11903166 |
Sep 19, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/152
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/094 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/152 20060101
E04D013/152 |
Claims
1. A soffit structure comprising: a sheet member having an upper
surface and a bottom surface wherein said upper surface is designed
to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom
surface is facing exteriorly of the building; a plurality of
channels formed in said sheet member, said channels extending
inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel being
defined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, each of
said side walls and bottom wall being straight and planar, each of
said side walls being angled so as to form an acute angle with said
upper surface of said sheet member, said at least one channel
having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of said side
walls.
2. The soffit structure of claim 1, wherein each of said channels
has apertures formed in at least one of said side walls.
3. The soffit structure of claim 2 wherein all of said side walls
have apertures formed therein.
4. The soffit structure of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls
form an angle of between 75.degree. and 88.degree. with respect to
said upper surface.
5. The soffit structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet member is
formed of a metallic material.
6. The soffit structure of claim 3 wherein said metallic material
is aluminum.
7. The soffit structure of claim 4 wherein said channels extend
transversely of said sheet member.
8. A soffit structure comprising: a sheet member having an upper
surface and a bottom surface wherein said upper surface is designed
to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom
surface is facing exteriorly of the building; a plurality of
channels formed in said sheet member, said channels extending
inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel being
defined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, said at
least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at
least one of said side walls; a cover member associated with said
at least one channel, said cover member having a first end retained
within said channel, and a cap portion located at a second end of
said cover member.
9. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein each of said side walls
has an inwardly projecting portion designed to retain said first
end of said cover member.
10. The soffit structure of claim 9 wherein said cap portion
includes outwardly extending portions to cover said vent
channels.
11. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein said cover member has a
plurality of apertures formed therein.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application
Ser. No. 10/780,193 filed Feb. 17, 2004, the teachings of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a soffit structure and more
particularly, relates to a novel soffit structure having vent means
therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of soffit structures to provide ventilation to an
attic or under the roof area is well known in the art. Thus, it has
been known for years that ventilation of a space underneath a roof
is necessary both during the summer and winter seasons. During the
summer, if this area is not ventilated, the solar energy captured
by the roof would generate excessive temperatures in the space.
This will cause damage to many roofing materials and as well, would
increase air-conditioning cost for the area below.
[0004] In winter, it is also required to ventilate the area since
warm moist air escaping from heated areas below would, upon contact
with the cold structural members, condense. This moisture would
eventually lead to structural damage of wood components and can
also cause dripping into the area below.
[0005] Generally, the area to be ventilated will comprise two
different types of areas. Thus, in many sloping roof arrangements,
there is provided a substantial open area, commonly called an
attic, between the ceiling of the structure and the roof. In such
an arrangement, different types of venting may be provided. One
arrangement provides for a continuous vent along the ridge of the
roof in conjunction with soffit vents. This is ideally arranged to
create an air flow from the soffit through the ridge vent.
Alternatively, various other types of vents may be provided in the
end walls of the attic or in the roof itself. In all instances, the
purpose is to provide a controlled airflow through the attic
area.
[0006] In the case of cathedral ceilings, the airflow is typically
between the rafters, extending from the soffit to an upper
vent.
[0007] Generally soffits comprise a piece of sheet metal or other
material through which apertures have been formed. While such
soffits are widely accepted, they can, under certain conditions,
permit the flow of precipitation upwardly through the apertures.
Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal of such soffits is limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a soffit
structure which is both aesthetically attractive and overcomes the
disadvantages of the prior art.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a soffit structure comprising a sheet member having an
upper surface and a bottom surface wherein the upper surface is
designed to lie against a structural member of a building and the
bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building, a plurality of
channels formed in the sheet member, the channels extending
inwardly from the bottom surface, at least one of the channels
having a pair of opposed side walls, the at least one channel
having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of the side
walls thereof.
[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a soffit structure comprising a sheet member
having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein the upper
surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a
building and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the
building, a plurality of channels formed in the sheet member, the
channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface, at least one
channel being defined by first and second side walls and a bottom
wall, the at least one channel having a plurality of apertures
formed in at least one of the side walls, a cover member associated
with the at least one channel, the cover member having a first end
retained within the channel, and a cap portion located at a second
end of the cover member.
[0011] The soffit system of the present invention may be used in
any suitable building structure with residential housing being the
most common type of building structure which uses soffit
ventilation. The soffit is traditionally manufactured of a formed
metal although it is also known in the art to use plastic soffit.
It sufficies to say that any suitable material may be utilized in
the practice of the present invention.
[0012] The channels are formed in the soffit by any suitable means,
depending upon the material. Thus, using a metallic material such
as aluminum, known forming equipment can easily form the channels.
The channels preferably have a generally U-shaped configuration
although in one embodiment it is even more preferred that the walls
of the channels be angled such that they form an angle of between
75.degree. and 88.degree. with respect to the upper surface of the
soffit. In other words, the base of the channel is slightly larger
than the opening.
[0013] In the above embodiment, all the channels are provided with
apertures although it will be understood that only some of the
channels may be provided with the apertures depending upon the
degree of ventilation required. Similarly, it is preferred that the
apertures be formed in both side walls of the recess. However, it
will again be understood that only one of the walls may be provided
with such apertures.
[0014] Preferably, the apertures are sufficiently numerous and are
of a size to meet the ventilation standards set in the building
industry. Such standards are well known in the art. Generally, the
apertures would arrange between 12 and 16 mm. The number of rows in
each standard piece will vary depending upon the ventilation
required.
[0015] In the second aspect of the invention, and as
aforementioned, the soffit structure has a cover member which
designed to be inserted in the channels for aesthetic purposes.
Thus, the cover member will remove the ability to see the channels
and the cover member may, if desired, carry decorative indicia.
[0016] The cover member is preferably a snap-fit construction such
that it may easily be placed in the channel and withdrawn
therefrom. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the cover member
(or at least a portion thereof) is formed of a metal or plastic
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Having thus generally described the invention, reference
will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an
embodiment thereof, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a soffit
structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the soffit when
used in a facia system;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
soffit structure according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the placement of a cover
member into one of the vent channels;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
cover member; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is an end elevational view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to the figures in greater detail and by reference
characters thereto, there is illustrated a soffit structure which
is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
[0027] Soffit structure 10 has a generally planar body 12 which has
an upper surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. Formed in generally
planar central body portion 12 are a plurality of generally
U-shaped channels generally designated by reference numeral 18.
[0028] Each channel 18, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pair
of opposed side walls 20, 22 which are connected by a bottom wall
24. As may best seen in FIG. 2, each side wall 20 and 22 is angled
slightly so as to form an angle of approximately 85.degree. between
upper surface 12 and a respective side wall as indicated by angle
26.
[0029] In order to provide the ventilation, apertures 28 are
provided in each of the walls 20 and 22.
[0030] In use, the soffit may be attached by conventional means
such as mechanical fasteners or the like. However, it is preferred
that the same be used in a system wherein it is supported at one
edge by a facia support member 30 and a second support member 32
which is secured to the wall structure of the building.
[0031] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6, there is
illustrated therein a further version of the soffit structure of
the present invention.
[0032] The soffit is generally designated by reference numeral 110
and includes a base component 112 with vent channels generally
designated by numeral 114 extending in a parallel fashion.
[0033] Vent channels 114 are defined by first side wall 116 and a
second side wall 118 which are substantially parallel. There is
also an upper wall generally designated by reference numeral 130
which includes a first angled portion 122 and as second angled
portion 124. At their lower extremities, first side wall 116 and
second side wall 118 have inwardly extending C-shaped portions 126
and 127 respectively. C-shaped portions 126 and 127 connect with
corrugated sections 128. A plurality of apertures 130 are provided
in first side wall 116, second side wall 118 and upper wall
120.
[0034] At one end of each soffit panel, there is provided a
connecting arrangement and which connecting arrangement is best
seen in FIG. 3. As may be seen, second wall 118 is connected to a
rearwardly extending top wall 134 and which terminates in a
C-shaped portion 136.
[0035] A second soffit panel has first side wall 116 and a first
angled portion 122. However, from first angled portion 122, there
is provided a straight portion 140 and which terminates in a
rearwardly extending C-shaped segment 142. From there, there is
provided a second C-shaped section 138 passing through bight 144
and which terminates in a straight flange 148. Flange 148 may have
apertures therein to receive a fastening member such as a nail
150.
[0036] In this embodiment, there is provided a channel cover and
which is generally designated by reference numeral 154. Channel
cover 154 has a bottom wall 156 which merges inwardly with C-shaped
portions 158, 159. These are, in turn, connected to straight wall
segments 160, 161 following which there are provided inwardly
extending C-shaped segments 162, 163 and which terminate in end
tapered sections 164, 165.
[0037] A cap generally designed by reference numeral 168 has a
lower wall 170 which, at each end, passes through bights 172, 173
to form a top wall 174, 175. Top walls 174, 175 terminate in end
sections 176, 177 which fit within C-shaped recesses 158, 159
respectively.
[0038] Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, there is
illustrated a channel cover which is similar to that of FIGS. 4 to
6 and which will now be referred to. Similar reference numerals in
the 200's are used for like components.
[0039] Channel cover 254 is formed as one piece and is inserted
into the channels of the soffit. However, in this embodiment, there
are provided a plurality of apertures 253 to permit the passage of
air therethrough. One of the rows of apertures is preferably
aligned with the apertures formed in the walls of the channels.
[0040] 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 the spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *