U.S. patent application number 13/188224 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for one-piece roof flashing.
This patent application is currently assigned to IPS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey A. Humber. Invention is credited to Jeffrey A. Humber.
Application Number | 20130020796 13/188224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47555269 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130020796 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Humber; Jeffrey A. |
January 24, 2013 |
One-Piece Roof Flashing
Abstract
An integral one-piece roof flashing for preventing moisture from
passing between a vent pipe and a roof. The flashing, preferably of
plastic, includes a base having an aperture and a
laterally-extending planar flange with a raised center portion. An
upstanding outer sleeve is joined to the center portion by a
flexible corrugated portion of the flashing. A downwardly-depending
inner sleeve has a top end joined to the distal end of the outer
sleeve, extends into the outer sleeve, and is adapted for receipt
into the top end of the vent pipe. The corrugated portion flexes to
allow the outer sleeve to be angled up and down the pitch direction
of the roof, side to side, and to extend to accommodate different
roof pitch angles and vent pipe heights. A scale on the base allows
the vent pipe height to be measured to ensure that it is within
acceptable limits.
Inventors: |
Humber; Jeffrey A.;
(Memphis, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Humber; Jeffrey A. |
Memphis |
TN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IPS CORPORATION
Collierville
TN
|
Family ID: |
47555269 |
Appl. No.: |
13/188224 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/44 ;
285/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/1407 20130101;
E04D 13/1476 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/44 ;
285/42 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/147 20060101
E04D013/147; E04D 13/14 20060101 E04D013/14 |
Claims
1: An integral one-piece roof flashing for preventing moisture from
passing between a vent pipe and a roof where the vent pipe passes
through the roof at a vent pipe angle with respect to an upper
surface of the roof, said roof flashing comprising: (a) a base
plate having an aperture therethrough and including a
laterally-extending planar flange around said aperture; (b) an
upstanding outer sleeve defining a first longitudinal passage
therethrough, said outer sleeve having a proximal end and a distal
end; (c) a corrugated portion defines a second longitudinal passage
therethrough, said corrugated portion flexingly and sealingly
joining said proximal end of said outer sleeve to said base plate
about said aperture with said corrugated portion being intermediate
said base plate and said proximal end of said outer sleeve; said
aperture, said second longitudinal passage, and said first
longitudinal passage being adapted for mutually receiving said vent
pipe thereinto with said planar flange resting upon the upper
surface of the roof with said corrugated portion flexing to align
said outer sleeve at the vent pipe angle with respect to said
planar flange; (d) a downwardly-depending inner sleeve having a top
end integrally and immovably joined to said distal end of said
outer sleeve; said inner sleeve being adapted for being received
into a top end of the vent pipe with said planar flange resting
upon the upper surface of the roof.
2: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
3: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said
corrugated portion includes a bottom corrugation that defines a
bottom corrugation plane, said bottom corrugation plane
establishing a starting angle orientation of said outer sleeve with
respect to said planar flange, said starting angle orientation
being defined as a planar angle between said bottom corrugation
plane and said planar flange, such that said outer sleeve may move
through a first range of angles, about said starting angle
orientation from a backmost angle to a frontmost angle, as said
corrugated portion flexes front to back.
4: The roof flashing as recited in claim 3, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
5: The roof flashing as recited in claim 4, in which said backmost
angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle
orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least -45 degrees with
respect to said starting angle orientation.
6: The roof flashing as recited in claim 3, in which said backmost
angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle
orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least -45 degrees with
respect to said starting angle orientation.
7: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said planar
flange of said base plate includes measurement indicia thereon for
measuring the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe
is within a minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of
the roof
8: The roof flashing as recited in claim 7, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
9: The roof flashing as recited in claim 7, in which said
corrugated portion includes a bottom corrugation that defines a
bottom corrugation plane, said bottom corrugation plane
establishing a starting angle orientation of said outer sleeve with
respect to said planar flange, said starting angle orientation
being defined as a planar angle between said bottom corrugation
plane and said planar flange, such that said outer sleeve may move
through a first range of angles, about said starting angle
orientation from a backmost angle to a frontmost angle, as said
corrugated portion flexes front to back.
10: The roof flashing as recited in claim 9, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
11: The roof flashing as recited in claim 9, in which said backmost
angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle
orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least -45 degrees with
respect to said starting angle orientation.
12: The roof flashing as recited in claim 11, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
13: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said roof
flashing flexes at said corrugated portion with said outer sleeve
moving through a second range of angles from 45 to 90 degrees with
respect to said planar flange and said outer sleeve may move in a
longitudinal direction therealong away from said aperture as said
corrugated portion becomes flexingly extended.
14: The roof flashing as recited in claim 13, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
15: The roof flashing as recited in claim 13, in which said planar
flange of said base plate includes measurement indicia thereon for
measuring the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe
is within a minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of
the roof.
16: The roof flashing as recited in claim 15, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
17: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said
corrugated portion has a generally frusto-conical shape.
18: The roof flashing as recited in claim 17, in which said roof
flashing is made from a plastic.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO COMPACT DISC(S)
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates, in general, to roofing of
buildings, and in particular, to a so-called "roof flashing" for
preventing moisture from passing between a vent pipe and a roof
where the vent pipe passes through the roof.
[0006] 2. Information Disclosure Statement
[0007] When a vent pipe passes through a roof of a building, such
as a roof of a residential home or other building, it is necessary
to prevent water and moisture from passing between the vent pipe
and the roof in the region where the vent pipe passes through and
emerges upwardly from a hole in the roof. It is well-known to use a
prior art "roof flashing" to accomplish this, which may be done for
new home construction or for remedial re-roofing of a residential
home. While it would be desirable that an installed roof flashing
last forever, in practice the roof flashing only needs to function
properly without deterioration for a period of time that is longer
than the life of the roof's shingles because the roof flashing can
and often must be replaced when new shingles are installed onto the
roof. Prior art roof flashings that use rubber materials are known
to deteriorate and leak before the roof shingles need to be
replaced.
[0008] Often, the orientation of the roof at the roof hole is
pitched at a roof pitch angle with respect to the horizontal plane,
and the pitch of the roof can vary from roof to roof. Furthermore,
the vent pipe can pass through the roof at a somewhat arbitrary
vent pipe angle with respect to the upper surface of the roof.
While it is desirable that the vent pipe be vertical, often the
vent pipe will be non-vertical, with the vent pipe being oriented
at a non-zero polar angle as measured with respect to the vertical
plane along the direction of the roof's rise. This combination of
differing roof pitch angles from roof to roof, and somewhat varying
vent pipe angle and vent pipe polar orientation from roof to roof,
mandates that a roof flashing must accommodate both the roof pitch
angle and the vent pipe angle and polar orientation for a given
roof. Still furthermore, the vent pipe projection height, defined
as the distance that the distal end of the vent pipe extends above
the upper surface of the roof, may vary from one vent pipe to
another, and this height variation often must be accommodated when
installing a roof flashing.
[0009] Many approaches have been tried by prior art roof flashings.
The majority of prior art roof flashings installed on new homes or
for re-roofing of a residential dwelling are necessarily of a
two-piece construction, such that a flexible rubber boot spherical
cap, having a centrally-disposed first hole for sealingly fitting
around the upwardly-extending vent pipe, is placed atop an
upwardly-extending spherical cap on a generally planar base of the
roof flashing, in which the spherical cap of the base of the roof
flashing has an enlarged second hole therethrough, such that the
interface between the rubber boot spherical cap and the spherical
cap of the base of the roof flashing may be adjustably oriented to
accommodate varying roof pitches and vent pipe angles. While such
prior art two-piece roof flashings with a rubber boot spherical cap
may initially provide a good watertight seal between the sides of
the vent pipe and the base of the roof flashing, over time the
rubber deteriorates due to age and heating, and the boot begins to
crack and thus leak around the vent pipe. It is known in the prior
art to retrofit such aged and leaking rubber boot spherical caps by
installing a so-called "repair collar" atop the leaking rubber boot
spherical cap, in which the repair collar is simply yet another
flexible rubber boot cap with a centrally-disposed hole through
which the vent pipe passes, and, because of the relative lack of
aging of the repair collar as compared to the leaking rubber boot
spherical cap therebeneath, the flexibility of the rubber of the
repair collar can seal to the vent pipe and thus stop the leaking
of the aged roof flashing. Of course, over time, the rubber of the
repair collar will also deteriorate, causing the repaired roof
flashing to leak as time passes.
[0010] To address the deterioration of rubber boots of prior art
roof flashings, it is known to make roof flashings out of metal,
such as lead or aluminum. One prior art approach is to provide a
roof flashing made of lead or aluminum having a "pre-bent"
upstanding sleeve that is welded or otherwise sealed to the base
plate flange at a pre-determined angle chosen for a certain roof
pitch. Often the top of the upstanding sleeve is sealed to the vent
pipe using caulking, which causes the seal between the sleeve of
the roof flashing and the vent pipe to deteriorate over time.
Another approach for such metal roof flashings with a "pre-bent"
upstanding sleeve is to have a top cap or "counter flashing" that
is received atop the sleeve of the roof flashing, with an outer
sleeve of the counter flashing being received about the outer
sleeve of the roof flashing, and with a downwardly-depending inner
sleeve of the counter flashing extending into the top of the vent
pipe, the outer sleeve of the counter flashing being sealed to the
inner sleeve of the counter flashing by an annular ring at the top
of the counter flashing cap. Such a prior art "counter flashing"
cap is sold by FlashCo Manufacturing, Inc., 1452 Industrial Ave.,
Sebastopol, Calif. 95472, for use with a fixed-angle all-lead roof
flashing that is sold by FlashCo Manufacturing under the trademark
L-SERIES flashing. Still another approach for all-lead roof
flashings with a "pre-bent" upstanding sleeve is to fold over the
top of the upstanding sleeve into the top of the vent pipe during
installation of the roof flashing, thereby preventing moisture from
passing between the exterior of the vent pipe and the roof through
the hole in the roof through which the vent pipe emerges. Such an
approach, while durable because the lead roof flashing does not
deteriorate, has a disadvantage of using lead, which is detrimental
to the health when ingested, and also somewhat constricts the air
flow through the vent pipe due to the lead flashing being folded
down into the top of the vent pipe, often leaving projecting crimps
and folds that restrict air flow through the vent pipe. Because all
"pre-bent" roof flashing solutions only accommodate a single roof
pitch, it is necessary to inventory a variety of such fixed-angle
roof flashings so that the correct pitch angle of roof flashing can
be used for a given roof pitch.
[0011] One piece prior art flexible all-rubber roof flashings are
also known that have a corrugated section to allow the roof
flashing to flex and accommodate a range of roof pitches, with the
vent pipe sticking out a centrally-disposed hole in the rubber roof
flashing, and in which the centrally-disposed hole in the rubber
roof flashing seals to the outer surface of the vent pipe. Like
other prior art rubber boots used with two-piece roof flashings,
these all-rubber roof flashings deteriorate over time and leak.
[0012] Another all-metal (aluminum) two-piece roof flashing is
described in Poitras, U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,960 (issued Dec. 26,
2000), and sold under the trademark VENT 2000 by that inventor's
company. To allow that all-metal two-piece roof flashing to
accommodate a range of roof pitch angles, the upstanding sleeve of
this roof flashing is joined by a corrugated metal portion to the
metal base plate. A bending tool (the so-called "Folding Machine
2000") is used during installation of the VENT 2000 product, and
grips the base plate of the VENT 2000 product while bending force
is applied to a lever arm inserted into the top of the upstanding
sleeve and engaging the interior wall of the upstanding sleeve,
thereby causing the angle of the upstanding sleeve to change as the
corrugated metal portion becomes bent due to the force applied to
the lever arm, while the engagement of the lever arm with the
interior wall of the upstanding sleeve prevents buckling of the
upstanding sleeve during the bending process. After the upstanding
sleeve has been bent to the desired angle and the VENT 2000 product
is removed from the bending tool, the VENT 2000 roof flashing is
then installed over a vent pipe and a sleeve cap, similar to the
counter flashing top cap sold by FlashCo Manufacturing, Inc., as
discussed above, is placed over the top of the upstanding sleeve to
prevent moisture and water from flowing down the exterior surface
of the vent pipe and through the vent pipe's roof hole. The
two-piece construction of the VENT 2000, with a removable top cap,
is necessary so that the lever arm of the Folding Machine 2000
installation tool can be inserted into the top of the upstanding
sleeve and forceably engage the inner walls of the upstanding
sleeve, thereby preventing buckling of the upstanding sleeve,
during the bending procedure prior to installation of the roof
flashing.
[0013] In addition to the Poitras patent, mentioned above, the
following patents disclose various approaches used by prior art
roof flashings: Kifer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,407 (issued Jul. 2,
1985); Kifer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,997 (issued Feb. 27, 1990); and
Rodriguez et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,267 (issued Dec. 31,
1996).
[0014] None of these references or prior art devices, either singly
or in combination, discloses or suggests the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is an integral one-piece roof flashing
for preventing moisture and water from passing between a vent pipe
and a roof where the vent pipe passes through the roof at a vent
pipe angle with respect to an upper surface of the roof. The roof
flashing includes a base plate having an aperture therethrough with
a laterally-extending planar flange around the base plate's
aperture, an upstanding outer sleeve defining a first longitudinal
passage therethrough and with the outer sleeve having a proximal
and a distal end, and a corrugated portion defining a second
longitudinal passage therethrough, in which the corrugated portion
flexingly and sealingly joins the proximal end of the outer sleeve
to the base plate about the aperture. The corrugated portion is
intermediate the base plate and the proximal end of said outer
sleeve. The aperture, the second longitudinal passage, and the
first longitudinal passage are adapted for mutually receiving the
vent pipe thereinto with the planar flange resting upon the upper
surface of the roof. As the roof flashing is dropped onto the vent
pipe, the corrugated portion flexes to align the outer sleeve at
the vent pipe angle with respect to said planar flange. The
corrugated portion allows the outer sleeve to flex front to back,
side to side, and up and down to accommodate different vent pipe
heights and roof pitch angles. The roof flashing further includes a
downwardly-depending inner sleeve having a top end integrally and
immovably joined to the distal end of said outer sleeve. The inner
sleeve is adapted for being received into a top end of the vent
pipe with the planar flange resting upon the upper surface of the
roof.
[0016] The planar flange of the base plate preferably includes
measurement indicia thereon for measuring the length of the vent
pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe is within a
minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of the roof so
that successful installation can be accomplished. Preferably, the
roof flashing is molded from a plastic.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof
flashing that is more durable than prior art roof flashings, and
which does not leak after the roof flashing has been installed on a
roof during the life of the roof. It is a further object of the
present invention to provide a roof flashing that can accommodate a
wide angles of roof pitches and vent pipe heights, and which does
not require bending tools during installation. It is a still
further object of the present invention to provide means for
determining whether the vent pipe height is within acceptable
limits prior to installation of the roof flashing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view of the first
embodiment of the present invention shown installed on a roof
having a smaller diameter vent pipe extending therethrough.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the first embodiment of the
present invention, showing flexing of the corrugated portion to
move the outer sleeve from an angular range of at least 45 degrees
to 90 degrees with respect to the planar flange of the base plate,
and showing the corrugated portion allowing extension of the outer
sleeve in a longitudinal direction therealong away from the base
plate.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a left side sectional view of the first embodiment
of the present invention, similar to FIG. 2 but with the roof
removed for clarity and showing a larger diameter vent pipe
extending into the roof flashing.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the
present invention showing the measurement indicia.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a right side sectional view of the second
embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 2 but with the
roof removed for clarity, showing a smaller diameter vent pipe
extending into the roof flashing.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the second embodiment of the
present invention, showing flexing of the corrugated portion to
move the outer sleeve through an angular range with respect to the
planar flange of the base plate, and showing the corrugated portion
allowing extension of the outer sleeve in a longitudinal direction
therealong away from the base plate.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the
present invention showing the measurement indicia.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring to the figures of the drawings, two preferred
embodiments of the present invention are shown. There are many
similarities between the various embodiments, and only the
differences between the embodiments will be discussed in detail, it
being understood that similar structure for the various embodiments
serves similar purpose. The reference numerals for the various
parts of the embodiments shall be understood to have a prefix
identifying the particular embodiments (e.g., "1.", "2.") and a
suffix identifying the particular structure (e.g., "20", etc.),
such that reference numerals with the same suffix are understood to
be similar structure particular to each of the different
embodiments (e.g., "1.20", "2.20"). Reference numerals without a
prefix (e.g., "22") shall be understood to indicate environmental
structure that is substantially the same for all embodiments.
[0028] FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings show the structure and use of the
first embodiment 1.20 of the roof flashing of the present
invention, and FIGS. 6-9 of the drawings show the structure of the
second embodiment 2.20 of the present invention.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, roof flashing 1.20 is for preventing
moisture and water from passing between a vent pipe 22 and a roof
24 where the vent pipe 22 passes through the roof Roof 24 is of
well-known construction, and may have wood planking 26 mounted upon
rafters (not shown), and roofing paper 28 is typically placed atop
the wood planking 26 for waterproofing the roof, thereby defining a
generally planar upper surface 36 of the roof 24. Like prior art
roof flashings, the roof flashing of the present invention
typically sits atop the roofing paper 28. Atop roofing paper 28 are
typically installed a plurality of overlapping shingles 30 in a
manner well-known to those skilled in the art. A hole 32 is
typically cut through the roof 24 so that the well-known vent pipe
22, often constructed of metal or plastic, may pass through the
roof. Unless a barrier, such as a roof flashing, is interposed
between the roof and the vent pipe 22, water and moisture will pass
through the hole 32 and into the building below.
[0030] Vent pipes such as vent pipe 22 are typically provided in a
number of standard diameters such as 1.5 or 2.0 inches (3.81 or
5.08 cm) that must be accommodated by roof flashings such as that
of the present invention. Because roof pitches vary from building
to building and roof to roof, the vent pipe 22 emerges through the
roof at a vent pipe angle 34 with respect to the upper surface 36
of the roof 24.
[0031] As contrasted with prior art roof flashings, both
embodiments 1.20 and 2.20 of the roof flashing of the present
invention are of an integral one-piece construction, and lack any
interface or seam between parts of the roof flashing from the
engagement of the roof flashing with the vent pipe to the base
plate of the roof flashing. Unlike the VENT 2000 roof flashing
product, no bending tool is required for installation of the
present invention, which simply drops over the vent pipe onto the
roof surface and becomes self-aligning. Both embodiments 1.20 and
2.20 of the present invention are preferably formed from plastic,
preferably polypropylene, as by being moldedly formed, but other
plastics could be used instead, such as, for example, polyethylene,
flexible polyvinylchloride ("PVC"), polyurethane, or polyethylene
terephthalate ("PET"). The two desirable qualities of the material
from which the roof flashing of the present invention is made are
(1) the material should be somewhat flexible so that the roof
flashing may flex to accommodate a range of vent pipe angles with
respect to the upper surface of the roof, in a manner hereinafter
described in detail, and (2) the material should be durable and
preferably not crack or deteriorate due to heat and age after the
roof flashing is installed on a roof, at least not before
replacement roof shingles need to be installed on the roof.
[0032] Roof flashing 1.20 comprises a base plate 1.38, an
upstanding outer sleeve 1.40, and a corrugated portion 1.42. It
should be understood that the term "corrugated portion", as used
herein, broadly encompasses similar structure and construction such
as a pleated portion or an accordion portion, the essential
function being performed by portion 1.42 being the flexing of
portion 1.42 to accommodate different angles of vent pipe and roof
pitches by a single roof flashing 1.20. Additionally, as
hereinafter described in detail, corrugated portion 1.42 also
permits the outer sleeve 1.40 to extendingly move in a longitudinal
direction therealong to accommodate a range of heights for the vent
pipe 22.
[0033] Base plate 1.38 has an aperture 1.44 therethrough and
includes a laterally-extending substantially planar flange 1.46
around aperture 1.44 so that planar flange 1.46 may rest upon the
upper surface 36 of roof 24. Preferably, planar flange 1.46 may
have a plurality of transverse holes or depressions 1.48 through
which roofing nails 1.50 may respectively be nailed into the roof
24 during installation of the roof flashing 1.20 so as to secure
the roof flashing 1.20 to the roof 24.
[0034] Upstanding outer sleeve 1.40 defines a first longitudinal
passage 1.52 therethrough, and outer sleeve 1.40 has a proximal end
1.54 and a distal end 1.56.
[0035] Base plate 1.38 preferably includes a raised center portion
1.58 that is raised above the plane of planar flange 1.46 and
surrounding aperture 1.44. The center portion may have a low
profile and be only slightly raised, as shown by center portion
2.58 of the second embodiment 2.20 of the present invention, or it
may have a higher profile and be substantially raised, as shown by
center portion 1.58 of the first embodiment 1.20 of the present
invention. Center portion 1.58 may have a downwardly-sloping
peripheral wall 1.60 that joins with planar flange 1.46, just as
center portion 2.58 has a smaller downwardly-sloping peripheral
wall 2.60 that joins with planar flange 2.46 of the second
embodiment 2.20.
[0036] The interior of corrugated portion 1.42 defines a second
longitudinal passage 1.62 therethrough, and corrugated portion 1.42
flexingly and sealingly joins proximal end 1.54 of outer sleeve
1.40 to center portion 1.58 of base plate 1.38 about aperture 1.44,
with corrugated portion 1.42 being intermediate base plate 1.38 and
proximal end 1.54 of outer sleeve 1.40. Aperture 1.44, second
longitudinal passage 1.62, and first longitudinal passage 1.52 are
adapted for mutually receiving vent pipe 22 thereinto with planar
flange 1.46 resting upon the upper surface 36 of roof 24, with
corrugated portion 1.42 flexing as needed to align outer sleeve
1.40 at vent pipe angle 34 with respect to planar flange 1.46.
[0037] Roof flashing 1.20 further comprises a downwardly-depending
inner sleeve 1.64 having a top end 1.66 that is integrally and
immovably joined to distal end 1.56 of outer sleeve 1.40. Inner
sleeve 1.64 is adapted for being received into a top end 68 of vent
pipe 22 with planar flange 1.46 resting upon the upper surface 36
of roof 24. The inner diameter 1.70 of outer sleeve 1.40 determines
the largest-diameter vent pipe 22' that can be accommodated by roof
flashing 1.20 (see FIG. 4, where larger vent pipe 22' has an outer
diameter of 72'), and the outer diameter 1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64
determines the smallest-diameter vent pipe 22 that can be
accommodated by roof flashing 1.20 (see FIG. 2, where smaller vent
pipe 22 has an inner diameter of 76. If the difference between
inner diameter 1.70 of outer sleeve 1.40 and the outer diameter
1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64, which necessarily must be at least as
great as the wall thickness of a standard vent pipe (such as vent
pipe 22 or 22'), is selected to be substantially larger than the
wall thickness of a standard vent pipe, then a plurality of
standard vent pipe sizes (i.e., both vent pipe 22 and vent pipe
22') can be accommodated by a single size roof flashing 1.20,
thereby reducing inventory stocking needs for roof flashings of the
present invention. A possible downside of having such a
substantially larger difference between the inner diameter 1.70 of
outer sleeve 1.40 and the outer diameter 1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64
is a concern that the smaller inner sleeve diameter, somewhat
smaller than the inner sleeve diameter that could be used with
larger vent pipe 22', might constrict somewhat the air flow through
the larger vent pipe 22', as compared to the air flow that would be
possible through larger vent pipe 22' if a larger inner sleeve
diameter had been chosen. However, even with the smaller inner
sleeve diameter, the constriction of the air flow through larger
vent pipe 22' is no greater than the reduced air flow seen when
prior art lead roof flashings are used in which the lead flashing
is folded over into the top of the vent pipe during installation,
and the air flow has been found to be acceptable through the vent
pipe when such prior art lead roof flashings are used in which the
lead flashing is folded over into the top of the vent pipe during
installation.
[0038] Downwardly-depending inner sleeve 1.64 is preferably tapered
slightly inwardly toward the bottom to ease insertion into the vent
pipe during installation of the roof flashing.
[0039] The bottom corrugation 1.78 of corrugated portion 1.42 is
seen to define a bottom corrugation plane 1.80 that establishes a
nominal or starting angle orientation 1.82 of outer sleeve 1.40
with respect to planar flange 1.46. Starting angle orientation 1.82
of outer sleeve 1.40 with respect to planar flange 1.46 is defined
as the planar angle between bottom corrugation plane 1.80 and
planar flange 1.46, and defines the nominal orientation of outer
sleeve 1.40 before front to back flexing of corrugated portion 1.42
occurs, where the "front" 1.84 of roof flashing 1.20 is oriented
"down" the roof and the "back" of roof flashing is oriented "up"
the roof. As corrugated portion 1.42 flexes front to back in
response to front to back angular movement of outer sleeve 1.40 to
match the orientation of the vent pipe, outer sleeve 1.40 moves
through a first range of angles from a backmost angle 1.88,
preferably of at least +45 degrees, to a frontmost angle 1.90,
preferably at least -45 degrees, with respect to its starting angle
orientation 1.82. By comparison of the first embodiment 1.20 of the
roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in which the starting angle
orientation 1.82 is rather substantial, with the second embodiment
2.20 of the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 6-9, in which the
starting angle orientation 2.82 is near zero, caused by the lower
profile of center portion 2.58 of second embodiment 2.20 as
compared with the substantially raised center portion 1.58 of first
embodiment 1.20, it will be understood that the structure and
orientation chosen for the center portion (1.58, 2.58) determines
the nominal or starting angle orientation (1.82, 2.82) of the outer
sleeve (1.40, 2.40), about which the outer sleeve may move
angularly back to front to align with the vent pipe. Second
embodiment 2.20 is thus seen to be better suited to be used on
unpitched or "flat" roofs (near horizontal) in which the vent pipe
angle 34' is substantially ninety degrees with respect to the upper
surface of the roof (as best seen in FIG. 7), while first
embodiment 1.20 is seen to be better suited to be used on
substantially-pitched and steep roofs. Just as outer sleeve 1.40 of
first embodiment 1.20 moves through a first range of angles, from
backmost angle 1.88 to frontmost angle 1.90, with respect to its
starting angle orientation 1.82, outer sleeve 2.40 of second
embodiment 2.20 likewise moves through a first range of angles,
from backmost angle 2.88 to frontmost angle 2.90, with respect to
its starting angle orientation. However, because the planar angle
between bottom corrugation 2.78 and planar flange 2.46 of second
embodiment 2.20 is substantially zero, the movement of outer sleeve
2.40 through its first range of angles is substantially back and
forth from a nominally vertical orientation 2.82 of outer sleeve
2.40 with respect to planar flange 2.46.
[0040] By comparison of the first embodiment 1.20 of the roof
flashing as shown in FIGS. 1-5 with the second embodiment 2.20 of
the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 6-9, another difference between
the two embodiments is that corrugated portion 1.42 of first
embodiment 1.20 is generally frusto-conical in shape, as compared
with corrugated portion 2.42 of second embodiment 2.20, which is
generally cylindrical in shape. It should be understood, without
departing from the full intended scope of the present invention,
that the generally frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 of first
embodiment 1.20 could be substituted for the generally cylindrical
corrugated portion 2.42 on the low-profile center portion 2.58 of
second embodiment 2.20, and the generally cylindrical corrugated
portion 2.42 of second embodiment 2.20 could likewise be
substituted for the generally frusto-conical corrugated portion
1.42 on the substantially raised center portion 1.58 of first
embodiment 1.20. The larger diameter base of generally
frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 at bottommost corrugation
1.78 permits a wider range of flexing of corrugated portion 1.42
than is possible with generally cylindrical corrugated portion
2.42. Accordingly, a generally frusto-conical corrugated portion
1.42 should be used for those situations where a greater movement
of the outer sleeve is required through the first range of angles
about the starting angle orientation of the outer sleeve, whereas a
generally cylindrical corrugated portion 2.42 may be used for those
situations where a lesser movement of the outer sleeve is required
about its starting angle orientation.
[0041] It will be further understood, as best seen in FIG. 3, as
roof flashing 1.20 flexes at its corrugated portion 1.42, outer
sleeve 1.40 moves through a second range of angles with respect to
planar flange 1.46, from at least a minimum angle 1.92, preferably
at least 45 degrees, to a maximum angle 1.94, preferably at least
90 degrees. Likewise, as best seen in FIG. 8, as roof flashing 2.20
flexes at its corrugated portion 2.42, outer sleeve 2.40 moves
through a second range of angles with respect to its planar flange
2.46, from a minimum angle 2.92 to a maximum angle 2.94. As
discussed hereinabove, because corrugated portion 2.42 is
substantially cylindrical, rather than substantially frusto-conical
like corrugated portion 1.42, and because bottom corrugation plane
2.80 is substantially parallel to planar flange 2.46, the
front-to-back range of angular motion for outer sleeve 2.40 will be
less than that for outer sleeve 1.40, and the range of motion for
the second embodiment 2.20 will be about a different nominal or
starting angle orientation than for the first embodiment 1.20.
[0042] It should be noted from FIGS. 3 and 8 that the corrugated
portions 1.42 and 2.42, in addition to permitting angular movement
of the outer sleeve, also permit the outer sleeve to simultaneously
move in a longitudinal direction, outwardly along the longitudinal
axis of the outer sleeve, away from the aperture 1.44, 2.44 through
the base plate 1.38, 2.38, so that taller vent pipes may be
accommodated.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, both embodiments 1.20, 2.20
preferably include measurement indicia 1.96, 2.96 on the base plate
1.38, 2.38, preferably on the underside of planar flange 1.46, 2.46
of base plate 1.38, 2.38, for measuring the vent pipe to ensure
that the top end of the vent pipe is within a minimum and maximum
length (i.e., height) above the upper surface 36 of the roof. If
the vent pipe is too short, then downwardly-depending inner sleeve
1.64, 2.64 will not reach inside the vent pipe when the roof
flashing 1.20, 2.20 is installed. If the vent pipe is too tall,
even allowing for the permitted outward movement of the outer
sleeve 1.40, 2.40 as the corrugated portion 1.42, 2.42 flexes, then
the planar flange 1.46, 2.46 of the base plate 1.38, 2.38 will not
be able to reach and rest upon the upper surface 36 of the roof,
when the roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 is installed, due to the abutting
of the top of the vent pipe against the joining of the top end
1.66, 2.66 of inner sleeve 1.64 with the distal end 1.56, 2.56 of
outer sleeve 1.40, 2.40. Preferably, the underside of planar flange
1.46, 2.46 may also have instructions 1.98, 2.98 thereon,
instructing the roof flashing installer how to properly use the
measurement indicia 1.96, 2.96 to check the vent pipe height prior
to installation of the roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 on the roof.
[0044] Other aspects of the second embodiment need not be described
in detail because the description of similar structure for the
first embodiment will suffice for both embodiments.
[0045] To install either embodiment of the roof flashing of the
present invention, the installer should first use the measurement
indicia 1.96, 2.96 to ensure that the vent pipe height is within
acceptable limits above the upper surface of the roof. The roof
flashing 1.20, 2.20 is then dropped over the vent pipe, and roofing
nails 1.50 are nailed through holes 1.48, 2.48 to anchor the base
plate 1.38, 2.38 to the roof with planar flange 1.46, 2.46 resting
upon the upper surface 36 of the roof, and with inner sleeve 1.64,
2.64 extending into the vent pipe in a manner hereinbefore
described. As the planar flange 1.46, 2.46 comes to rest on the
upper surface of the roof, the corrugated portion 1.42, 2.42 of the
roof flashing will flex to allow the outer sleeve 1.40, 2.40 to
become aligned with the vent pipe. Overlapping shingles may now be
installed on the roof surface and overlapping the base plate 1.38,
2.38.
[0046] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred
use therefor, it is not to be so limited since modifications and
changes can be made therein which are within the full intended
scope of the invention.
* * * * *