U.S. patent application number 13/224976 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for tapered roof vent end cap apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is John C. Henderson. Invention is credited to John C. Henderson.
Application Number | 20130059524 13/224976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47753513 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130059524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henderson; John C. |
March 7, 2013 |
Tapered Roof Vent End Cap Apparatus and Method
Abstract
A tapered end cap for a two-sided ridge vent includes a shingle
supporting surface, opposing first and second ends and opposing
first and second edges. The end cap height of the shingle
supporting surface at the first end is equivalent to a two-sided
ridge vent. The end cap height of the shingle supporting surface at
the second end is equivalent to the roof decks defining a peak or
hip. The end cap conforms to a ridge or hip and allows a two-sided
ridge vent to be applied to a peak or hip and to rectify leakage
and appearance issues of two-sided ridge vents. The tapered end cap
may be one sided.
Inventors: |
Henderson; John C.;
(Springfield, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Henderson; John C. |
Springfield |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47753513 |
Appl. No.: |
13/224976 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/365 ;
29/897.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49623 20150115;
E04D 13/174 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/365 ;
29/897.3 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/02 20060101
F24F007/02; B21D 47/00 20060101 B21D047/00 |
Claims
1. An end cap apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a. an end cap
shingle supporting surface having a periphery, said periphery
defining an end cap first end and an opposing end cap second end,
said end cap shingle supporting surface having an underside and
defining a longitudinal axis generally normal to said end cap first
end, said periphery defining a first edge and an opposing second
edge, said first and said second edges being generally parallel to
said longitudinal axis; b. a first tapered support and a second
tapered support, said first tapered support being attached to said
underside of said end cap shingle supporting surface proximal to
said first edge, said second tapered support being attached to said
underside of said end cap shingle supporting surface proximal to
said second edge; c. said first tapered support and said second
tapered support in combination with said end cap shingle support
surface defining an end cap height along said first edge and said
second edge, said end cap height at said first end being equivalent
to a height of two-sided ridge vent above a roof deck when said
two-sided ridge vent is installed on a peak or a hip of a roof,
said end cap height tapering from said end cap first end to said
end cap second end so that said end cap height at said second end
is less than said end cap height at said first end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said end cap height at said
second end is equivalent to a thickness of said end cap shingle
supporting surface
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface defines a hinge, said hinge being generally parallel to
said longitudinal axis, said end cap shingle supporting surface
being bendable about said hinge, whereby said end cap shingle
supporting surface is bendable to conform to an angle defined by an
intersection of a first and a second roof deck defining a peak or a
hip.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface defines a pre-determined bend, said pre-determined bend
being generally parallel to said longitudinal axis, said
predetermined bend being selected to conform to an angle defined by
a first and a second roof deck when said first and said second roof
decks intersect to define a peak or a hip.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface has a width at said end cap first end, said width at said
end cap first end being substantially equal to a width of the
two-sided ridge vent.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, the apparatus further comprising: a. a
plurality of channels, said plurality of channels communicating
through said first tapered support or said second tapered support;
b. an interior volume defined by said first and said second tapered
supports and said end cap shingle supporting surface in
combination, said plurality of channels communicating from said
interior volume through said first and said second tapered
supports, said first and said second tapered supports in
combination defining an opening communicating with said interior
volume, said opening being configured for fluid communication with
a slot defined by said intersecting first and second roof decks
that define said peak or hip.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, the apparatus further comprising: a
filter, said filter covering an outside of said plurality of
channels, said filter being configured to block water, debris and
insects from entering said plurality of channels.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, the apparatus further comprising: a
baffle, said baffle being attached to a one of said first and said
second tapered supports, said baffle being configured to reduce an
effect of an atmospheric wind blowing into said channels.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising: a
base, said base and said end cap shingle-supporting surface being
composed of a polymer, said base being attached to said end cap
shingle supporting surface, said base being configured to engage
said peak or hip, said base defining said first and said second
tapered supports and supporting said end cap shingle-supporting
surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising:
said two-sided ridge vent, said two sided ridge vent being
elongated, said two sided ridge vent having a ridge vent end, the
end cap being integrated with and defining said ridge vent end.
11. A ventilated roof apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a. a
peak or a hip, said peak or said hip being defined by an
intersection of a first roof deck and a second roof deck, said
first and said second roof decks being pitched, said first and said
second roof decks defining a slot at said peak or hip, said slot
communicating from an area under said roof decks through said roof
decks, each of said roof decks having a roof deck surface; b. an
elongated two-sided ridge vent attached to said first and said
second roof deck surfaces at said peak or hip, said two-sided ridge
vent defining a ridge vent interior volume, said ridge vent
interior volume being in fluid communication with said area under
said roof decks through said slot, said roof vent interior volume
being in fluid communication with an outside air, said two-sided
ridge vent defining a ridge vent shingle supporting surface
covering said slot, said ridge vent shingle supporting surface
defining a ridge vent height above said roof deck surface, said
two-sided ridge vent having a ridge vent end; c. an end cap having
an end cap shingle supporting surface, said end cap engaging and
conforming to said roof deck surfaces of said first and said second
roof decks at said peak or hip, said end cap shingle supporting
surface defining an end cap first end and an end cap second end,
said end cap first end being disposed immediately adjacent to said
ridge vent end at said peak or hip, said end cap shingle supporting
surface defining an end cap height above said roof deck surface of
said first and second roof decks, said end cap height at said first
end being equivalent to said ridge vent height, said end cap height
at said second end being less than said end cap height at said
first end, said end cap height being tapered between said first and
said second ends.
12. The roof apparatus of claim 11, the apparatus further
comprising: One or more shingles, said one or more shingles
spanning said ridge vent end, said end cap shingle supporting
surface, and said roof deck surface at said peak or hip adjacent to
said end cap second end, wherein said end cap height at said second
end is adequately small that said shingle spanning said end cap
second end and said roof deck surface at said peak or hip
immediately adjacent to said second end will not be subject to
stresses due to said end cap height at said second end that would
cause failure of said shingle.
13. The roof apparatus of claim 11 wherein said end cap shingle
supporting surface has a periphery, said periphery defining said
first end and said second end, said periphery defining a first edge
and a second edge, said first and said second edges being generally
parallel to said longitudinal axis, said end cap shingle supporting
surface having an underside and defining a longitudinal axis
generally normal to said first end, the apparatus further
comprising: a. a first tapered support and a second tapered
support, said first tapered support being attached to said
underside of said end cap shingle supporting surface proximal to
said first edge, said second tapered support being attached to said
underside of said end cap shingle supporting surface proximal to
said second edge; b. said first tapered support and said second
tapered support in combination with said end cap shingle support
surface defining said end cap height at each location along said
first edge and said second edge.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said end cap shingle
supporting surface defines a hinge, said hinge being generally
parallel to said longitudinal axis, said end cap shingle supporting
surface being bendable about said hinge, whereby said end cap
shingle supporting surface is bendable to conform to an angle
defined by an intersection of said first and said second roof deck
defining said peak or hip.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said end cap shingle
supporting surface defines a pre-determined bend, said
pre-determined bend being generally parallel to said longitudinal
axis, said predetermined bend being selected to conform to an angle
defined by a first and a second roof deck when said first and said
second roof decks intersect to define a peak or a hip.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said end cap shingle
supporting surface has a width at said end cap first end, said
two-sided ridge vent having a ridge vent width, said end cap width
being substantially equal to said ridge vent width.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, the apparatus further comprising: a.
a plurality of channels defined by said first tapered support and
said second tapered support, said plurality of channels
communicating through said first tapered support and said second
tapered support; b. an end cap interior volume defined by said
first and said second tapered supports and said end cap shingle
supporting surface in combination, said plurality of channels being
in fluid communication with said interior volume, said interior
volume being in fluid communication through said slot with said
area under said roof.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, the apparatus further comprising: a
filter, said filter covering an outside of said plurality of
channels, said filter being configured to block water, debris and
insects from entering said plurality of channels.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, the apparatus further comprising: a
baffle, said baffle being attached to a one of said first and said
second tapered supports, said baffle being configured to reduce an
effect of an atmospheric wind blowing into said channels.
20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said peak or said hip
comprises two said peaks, said two peaks intersecting at a point,
said second end of said end cap shingle supporting surface being
attached to a one of said peaks proximal to said point, said first
end of said end cap being disposed distal to said point and
attached to said one of said peaks, said end of said two-sided
ridge vent being disposed immediately adjacent to said first end of
said end cap and on said one of said peaks.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said end cap comprises one,
two or three of said end caps, said second end of each of said end
caps being attached to a one of said peaks proximal to said point,
said first end of each of said end caps being attached to said one
of said peaks distal to said point.
22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said peak or said hip
comprises two said hips intersecting a one said peak at a point,
said second end of said end cap being attached to a one of said
peak or said two hips proximal to said point, said first end of
said end cap being attached to said one of said peak or said two
hips distal to said point, said end of said two-sided ridge vent
being disposed immediately adjacent to said first end of said end
cap and on said one of said peak or said two hips.
23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said peak or said hip
comprises two said hips intersecting a one said peak at a point,
said second end of said end cap being attached to a one of said
hips proximal to said point, said first end of said end cap being
attached to said one of said hips distal to said point, said end of
said two-sided ridge vent being disposed immediately adjacent to
said first end of said end cap and on said hip.
24. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said peak or said hip
comprises four said hips intersecting at a point, said second end
of said end cap being attached to a one of said hips proximal to
said point, said first end of said end cap being attached to said
one of said hips distal to said point, said end of said two-sided
ridge vent being disposed immediately adjacent to said first end of
said end cap and on said hip.
25. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said peak or hip intersects
an obstacle, said second end of said end cap being attached to said
peak or said hip proximal to said obstacle, said first end of said
end cap being attached to said peak or said hip distal to said
obstacle, said end of said two-sided ridge vent being disposed
immediately adjacent to said first end of said end cap and on said
peak or hip.
26. The apparatus of claim 11, said end cap comprising: a base,
said base and said end cap shingle-supporting surface being
composed of a polymer, said base being attached to said end cap
shingle-supporting surface, said base engaging said peak or hip,
said base supporting said end cap shingle-supporting surface.
27. A method of providing exhaust ventilation for a roof, the
method comprising: a. installing an elongated two-sided ridge vent
on a peak or hip of a roof, said peak or hip being defined by an
intersection of a first and a second roof deck, said peak or hip
defining a slot communicating through said peak or hip, said
two-sided ridge vent being disposed over said slot, said two-sided
ridge vent being configured to allow exhaust air to pass from an
area under said roof through said slot and through said two-sided
ridge vent to an outside air, said two-sided ridge vent defining an
end, said ridge vent defining a ridge vent shingle supporting
surface, said ridge vent shingle supporting surfaced being
supported at a ridge vent height above said first and said second
roof decks; b. installing an end cap on said ridge or hip, said end
cap having an end cap shingle supporting surface, said end cap
shingle supporting surface defining an end cap first end and an end
cap second end, said end cap first end being disposed immediately
adjacent to said ridge vent end at said peak or hip, said shingle
supporting surface at said first end having an end cap height above
said first and said second roof decks that is equivalent to said
ridge vent height above said first and said second roof decks, said
shingle supporting surface having said end cap height at said
second end that is equivalent to said height of said first and said
second roof decks, said end cap conforming to said first and said
second roof decks at said peak or hip, said end cap height being
tapered between said first end and said second end.
28. The method of claim 27, the method further comprising: applying
overlapping barrier shingles over said peak or hip, including over
said end cap and said two-sided ridge vent.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface has a periphery, said periphery defining said first end and
said second end, said periphery defining a first edge and a second
edge, said first and said second edges being generally parallel to
said longitudinal axis, said end cap shingle supporting surface
defining a longitudinal axis generally normal to said first end,
said end cap shingle supporting surface having an underside, said
underside of said shingle supporting surface being attached to a
first tapered support and a second tapered support, said first
tapered support being proximal to said first edge, said second
tapered support being proximal to said second edge, said first
tapered support and said second tapered support in combination with
said end cap shingle support surface defining said end cap height
at each location along said first edge and said second edge between
said first end and said second end.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface defines a hinge, said hinge being generally parallel to
said longitudinal axis, said end cap shingle supporting surface
being bendable about said hinge, whereby said end cap shingle
supporting surface is bendable to conform to an angle defined by an
intersection of said first and said second roof deck defining said
peak or hip.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein said end cap shingle supporting
surface defines a pre-determined bend, said pre-determined bend
being generally parallel to said longitudinal axis, said
predetermined bend being selected to conform to an angle defined by
a first and a second roof deck when said first and said second roof
decks intersect to define said peak or a hip.
32. The method of claim 29, the method further comprising:
providing a plurality of channels through said first and said
second tapered supports, said plurality of channels being in fluid
communication with said slot and said outside air.
33. The method of claim 32, the method further comprising:
filtering an air moving through said plurality of channels by
providing a filter covering said plurality of channels, said filter
being configured to control entry of water, debris and insects
through said channels.
34. The method of claim 32, the method further comprising:
providing a baffle, said baffle being attached to said first and
said second tapered supports, said baffle being configured to
reduce an effect of an atmospheric wind blowing into said
channels.
35. The method of claim 29 wherein said end cap includes a base,
said base and said end cap shingle-supporting surface being molded
from a polymer, said base being attached to said end cap
shingle-supporting surface, said base engaging said peak or hip,
said base defining said first and said second tapered supports.
Description
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
[0001] The Invention relates to the field of roof ventilation and
particularly to ventilation of a roof at a peak or at a hip. A
`peak` is also referred to as a `ridge.` The apparatus of the
Invention is a tapered vent end cap for a two-sided ridge vent. The
apparatus of the Invention also is a roof with the tapered vent end
cap installed. The method of the Invention is a method of
ventilating a roof using the tapered vent end cap of the Invention.
The invention is also a one sided tapered end cap for use with a
one sided ridge vent on a hip or peak.
B. Description of the Related Art
1. Roof Construction
[0002] The portion of a building roof that is exposed to the
elements is protected by a durable, weather-resistant surface, such
as shingles. As used in this document, the term `shingle` means tab
shingles, architectural shingles, cementatious shingles, metal
shingles, slate, sheet metal, tar paper, roll roofing, ceramic tile
roofing, wood shakes, synthetic versions of any of the above and
any other weather-proofing product that may be applied to a pitched
roof.
[0003] The shingles are supported by a roof deck. As used in this
document, a `roof deck` means the generally planar structure
covering all or a portion of the upper side of a building and
providing support for shingles. The roof deck has a pitch from the
lower edge of the roof to the peak of the roof so that water or
snow will fall from the roof. The roof deck usually is composed of
wood in the form of plywood sheets or dimensioned lumber. The term
`roof deck` also may include other roofing materials previously
applied to the plywood or dimensioned lumber, such as tar paper,
ice and water shields, and shingles.
[0004] When shingles are applied to a roof deck, the shingles
proximal to the lower edge of the roof are applied first and
attached to the deck. Each subsequent course of shingles proceeding
from the lower edge to the peak of the roof overlaps the preceding
course so that water running from each shingle flows onto the top
of the adjacent downhill shingle. The shingles cooperate to form a
composite surface that is tight to rain water and snow melt.
[0005] Roof decks intersect to define `peaks,` hips' and `valleys.`
The `peak` of the roof is the intersection of two pitched roof
decks where the planes of the two roof decks intersect to define a
horizontal line and the included angle between the two roof decks
normal to the horizontal line and under the roof is less than 180
degrees. A `hip` is the intersection between two pitched roof decks
where the planes of the two roof decks intersect to define a line
with a slope of less than 90 degrees from the horizontal and the
included angle between the two roof decks normal to the line of
intersection and under the roof is less than 180 degrees. A
`valley` is the intersection between two pitched roof decks where
the included angle between the two roof decks normal to the line of
intersection and under the roof is greater than 180 degrees. A
valley is created when different peaks of a pitched roof intersect.
A pitched roof may include a complex combination of peaks, hips and
valleys.
2. Roof Ventilation
[0006] Ventilation of the space under the roof is important to
reduce condensation and the resulting moisture damage to the roof
and to the building structure. Ventilation also serves to allow air
heated by solar gain to escape from the space under the roof,
reducing the cooling load on the building.
[0007] To ventilate a roof, air must both enter and leave the space
under the roof. Because air under the roof is heated by solar gain
and because heated air rises, the exit for air from the space under
the roof frequently is a ridge vent located at the peak of the
roof. Air entering the space under the roof may enter through
intake vents installed in a soffit or through a penetration through
the roof deck proximal to the edge of the roof. Roof ventilation
apparatus are taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,212,833 and 6,447,392
issued Apr. 10, 2001 and Sep. 10, 2002 respectively, to the
inventor of the present Invention, and by pending U.S. patent
applications Nos. 12/616,988 and 13/021,942, filed Nov. 12, 2009
and Feb. 7, 2011, respectively, also by the inventor of the present
Invention. The teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,447,392 and 6,212,833
and application Ser. Nos. 12/616,988 and 13/021,942 are
incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.
[0008] Effective ventilation requires that all areas of the area
under the roof be ventilated. To ventilate all areas under the
roof, intake vents must be distributed around the lower edges of
the roof and each intake vent must communicate with an exhaust vent
located near the peak. The amount of air that can be moved through
the area under the roof generally is limited by the length and
location of exhaust vents that can be installed, since a typical
roof has a much smaller length of roof peak for exhaust vent
installation than roof edge for intake vent installation. The
amount of roof peak available for installation of exhaust vents is
limited by the length of the roof peaks and by the presence of
obstacles. In many structures, the length of available roof peaks
is limited due to architectural considerations, such as the use of
hips on the roof. Obstacles to use of exhaust vents include
chimneys, walls and intersections between roof peaks forming
valleys.
3. Two-Sided Ridge Vents
[0009] Roof exhaust vents in the form of two-sided ridge vents are
known in the art. A two-sided ridge vent is elongated and straddles
a slot defined by the space between intersecting roof decks and
located at the peak of the roof. The slot communicates through the
roof into the attic space below the roof. The ridge vent allows air
to exit the area under the roof, but prevents the entry of water,
debris or insects into the slot and hence into the attic. The
two-sided ridge vent includes a first air exhaust opening running
the length of the two-sided ridge vent and a second air exhaust
opening in a spaced-apart relation to the first air exhaust
opening. When the ridge vent is installed on a roof, the first air
exhaust opening is above a one of the two intersecting roof decks
and on one side of the slot. The second air exhaust opening is
above the other of the two intersecting roof decks and on the other
side of the slot. A ridge vent shingle support extends the length
of the ridge vent and covers the first air exhaust opening, the
second air exhaust opening, and the slot. The two-sided ridge vent
defines an interior volume between the first and second air exhaust
openings and below the shingle support. The interior volume
communicates through the slot with the area under the roof.
[0010] In use, heated air from the attic rises through the slot
defined by the intersecting roof decks at the peak of the roof. The
air enters the interior volume of the ridge vent and exits through
the first and second air exhaust openings.
[0011] The double-sided roof vent may be of any construction known
in the industry. As is known in the industry, the first and second
air exhaust openings and the shingle support surface may be
composed of molded plastic, metal or corrugated plastic.
[0012] To install the double sided roof vent, the slot is prepared
in the two roof decks at the peak of the roof. Standard industry
practice is to end the slot one foot from the gable end of the
roof. Shingles are applied to the two intersecting roof decks and
two courses of shingles are applied to the gable end of the roof at
the peak. The ridge vent then is installed straddling the slot and
overlapping the shingles at the gable end. An end cap or foam plug
may be installed at the end of the two-sided ridge vent to prevent
weather, debris or insects from entering the vent interior volume
and hence the attic space from the end of the vent. Shingles are
nailed to the shingle support surface of the two-sided roof vent to
protect the vent from weather and for an appearance consistent with
the rest of the roof.
4. Problems with Current Technology Two-Sided Ridge Vents
a. Ends of the Two-Sided Roof Vent
[0013] The ends of the two-sided ridge vent are problem areas for
current technology vents. In current technology two-sided ridge
vents, the entire ridge vent, including the end of the vent and any
end cap installed with the two-sided ridge vent, is elevated above
the surface of the roof decks, commonly by about 0.75 inches or
more. The elevated end of the vent is unsightly and presents an
unfinished appearance for the roof, creating a customer relations
issue for the roofing contractor.
[0014] In an attempt to improve aesthetics, a roofing contractor
may install the two-sided ridge vent improperly by bridging the
raised end of the two-sided ridge vent and the roof peak with
shingles, resulting in unsupported shingles. The unsupported
shingles are subject to breakage and failure due to mishap and due
to the passage of time. Breakage and failure of the unsupported
shingles can lead to unnecessary repairs or leakage through the
roof.
b. Hip Roofs
[0015] The largest single problem of current technology two-sided
roof vents is finding enough roof peak on a building to allow
installation of an adequate length of ridge vent to properly
ventilate the building. The problem of inadequate peak length is
acute for buildings that utilize hip roofs.
[0016] The problem would be solved if the two-sided ridge vent
could be installed on the hip. Using a current technology two-sided
ridge vent to ventilate a roof along a hip is difficult due to
installation, leakage and aesthetic considerations.
[0017] The installation considerations are that a current
technology two-sided ridge vent can be used on the hip only in
conjunction with a corresponding two-sided ridge vent on the peak,
and only if the installer miters the hip and ridge vents to create
a continuous shingle surface on the vent and hip. Mitering the
current technology vents on the hip and ridge requires skill and is
labor intensive, leading to opportunities for installer error,
failure and leakage.
[0018] The leakage considerations are that the raised nature of the
current technology two-sided ridge vent and end caps prevents the
installer from creating a continuous shingle surface along the hip
when the two-sided ridge vent is installed on the hip without
mitering to a corresponding two-sided vent on the roof peak, as
described above. As a result, water may flow under the upper end of
the two-sided ridge vent due to the slope of the hip. If the
installer attempts to remedy the situation by installing
unsupported shingles bridging the hip and the raised end of the
two-sided ridge vent, the failure of the unsupported shingles will
create leakage opportunities.
[0019] The aesthetic considerations are due to the raised nature of
current technology two-sided ridge vents and end caps. The raised
ends are particularly visible and unsightly on a hip.
c. Obstacles
[0020] Obstacles such as a chimney or wall present another problem
for current technology two-sided ridge vents. If the peak of the
roof intersects a chimney or wall, a leakage opportunity is
presented for the two-sided ridge vent due to water collected by
and flowing down the chimney or wall. The collected water may flow
underneath the end of the two-sided ridge vent or end cap and into
the attic. Unsupported shingles applied to the end of the two-sided
ridge vent may prevent intrusion of water temporarily until the
unsupported shingles fail as described above, allowing water to
enter the attic.
[0021] Intersecting roof peaks that create valleys present
installation issues for current technology two-sided ridge vents.
The installer may terminate the ridge vent short of the point of
intersection on both of the intersecting peaks, creating three
exposed ends of the ridge vent, which are aesthetically
undesirable. If the installer attempts to improve the appearance of
the exposed ends by installing unsupported shingles, the installer
risks the problems of unsupported shingles described above.
[0022] Alternatively, the installer may attempt to miter the
intersecting two-sided ridge vents together to form a continuous
ridge vent shingle supporting surface. A mitered intersection can
have a good appearance, but is labor intensive. Mitering of the
two-sided ridge vent also introduces opportunities for installer
error, and unless carefully done can result in an unsupported
shingle supporting surface on one or more of the two-sided ridge
vents with the attendant risk of failure and leakage.
d. Gable End Sway Back
[0023] In addition to the aesthetic considerations described above
relating to visible ends of the two-sided ridge vent, roofs
commonly develop visual abnormalities with age that are exacerbated
by the two-sided ridge vent. The central portions of many roofs sag
slightly with time compared to the gable end of the roof. The
result is that the roof assumes a slightly sway-backed appearance,
with the gable end an inch or two higher than the remainder of the
roof. This appearance is referred to herein as the `gable end sway
back.`
[0024] While the gable end sway back does not indicate a structural
collapse of the roof, it is unsightly. The elevated end of a
two-sided roof vent near to the gable end of the roof accentuates
the unsightly appearance of a structure with gable end sway back.
Gable end sway back also can cause water to flow under the end of
the two-sided ridge vent, allowing water to enter the area under
the roof.
[0025] The prior art does not teach the apparatus or method of the
Invention.
II. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A. Two-Sided Ridge Vent Tapered End Cap
[0026] The Invention is an end cap for a two-sided ridge vent. The
Invention also is a roof constructed using the end cap and is a
method of constructing or repairing a roof using the two-sided
ridge vent end cap of the Invention.
[0027] The two-sided ridge vent end cap of the Invention is
configured to be located at the end of a prior art two-sided ridge
vent installed on the peak or hip of a roof, as defined above.
Alternatively, the two-sided ridge vent end cap of the Invention
can be integrated with the prior art two-sided ridge vent, so that
the two-sided ridge vent end cap is not separate from the two-sided
ridge vent and defines one end of the two-sided ridge vent.
[0028] The end cap of the Invention has an end cap shingle
supporting surface with tapered supports to provide support to
shingles overlapping the end of the two-sided ridge vent and to
prevent failure of the overlapping shingles. Using the end cap of
the invention, a continuous barrier of fully supported, overlapping
shingles may be installed along the peak or hip, over the end cap
of the Invention and over the prior art two-sided ridge vent.
[0029] The shingle supporting surface has a periphery that defines
a first end and an opposing second end. The shingle supporting
surface has a length from the first end to the second end and
defines a longitudinal axis along the length and generally normal
to the first end. The periphery of the shingle support surface also
defines a first edge and an opposing second edge. The first and
second edges generally are parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0030] A first tapered support is attached to the underside of the
end cap shingle supporting surface and extends generally parallel
to the longitudinal axis and proximal to the first edge. A second
tapered support is attached to the underside of the end cap shingle
supporting surface and extends generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis and proximal to the second edge. The first and
second tapered supports are tapered along their length.
[0031] When the end cap of the Invention is in use on a peak or hip
of a roof, the first end of the end cap shingle supporting surface
is located immediately adjacent to the end of the two-sided ridge
vent and over the peak of the roof. The first tapered support
engages the first roof deck on one side of the peak or hip and the
second tapered support engages the second roof deck on the other
side of the peak or hip.
[0032] When the end cap is attached to a peak or hip of a roof, the
first and second tapered supports support the first end of the
shingle-supporting surface in a spaced-apart relation to the first
and second roof decks. The spaced apart relation between the first
end and the roof decks is `equivalent,` as defined below, to the
spaced apart relation between the top surface of the prior art
two-sided ridge vent and the roof decks. When the end cap is
attached to a peak or hip of a roof, the second end of the shingle
supporting surface is not in a spaced-apart relation to the first
or second roof decks. The second end of the shingle supporting
surface is `equivalent,` as defined below, in elevation to the
adjacent roof decks.
[0033] As used in this document, the term "equivalent" means that
the difference in elevation above the roof deck is adequately small
that (a) a shingle spanning the end of the two-sided ridge vent and
the first end of the shingle supporting surface, and (b) a shingle
spanning the second end of the shingle supporting surface and the
roof deck itself, will not be subject to stresses due to the
difference in elevation that would cause failure of the shingle in
ordinary and expected use. Although the acceptable difference in
elevation above the roof deck will vary with the strength of the
shingle used to span the different elevations, the applicant
believes that a difference in elevation of 3/16 inches is
acceptable in practice.
[0034] The end cap of the Invention is configured to conform to the
peak or hip of the roof. The configuration of the end cap to
conform to the peak or hip is a hinge extending the length of the
shingle support surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis. The
shingle supporting surface may be bent about the hinge so that the
shingle supporting surface approximates the angle defined by the
intersection of the first and second roof decks. The hinge may be
defined by a physical hinge structure, such as a score or route
appearing in the underside of the shingle supporting surface.
Alternatively, any configuration known in the art to allow the
shingle supporting surface of the end cap to bend in conformance to
the roof is included within the meaning of the term `hinge.` For
example, the shingle supporting surface may be selected from a
material that is deformable in flexion in a direction normal to the
longitudinal axis. The configuration of the end cap to conform to
the peak or hip may be that the shingle supporting surface is
manufactured with an appropriate pre-existing bend.
[0035] The location of the hinge or pre-existing bend is selected
to match the location of the hinge or pre-existing bend of the
two-sided ridge vent with which the end cap of the Invention will
be used. While the hinge or pre-existing bend may be located along
the center of the shingle supporting surface parallel to the
longitudinal axis between the first and second edges, any other
location for the hinge or pre-existing bend that matches the
location of the hinge or pre-existing bend of a two-sided ridge
vent is contemplated by the Invention.
[0036] The end cap may include end cap air vents, the inlets to the
air vents being defined by the spaced-apart relation between the
first and second edges of the shingle supporting surface and the
top surface of the roof decks; alternatively, the end cap may not
include air vents. If air vents are included in the end cap, the
air vents communicate with the slot defined by the top surface of
the roof deck when the end cap is installed on the peak or hip. If
air vents are not included in the end cap, then the end cap will
not provide significant ventilation air to the slot defined by the
top surface of the roof deck. If air vents are included, the air
vents may be covered by a fabric to restrict entry of debris, water
or insects.
[0037] If air vents are included, the air vents may be protected by
baffles to reduce the effect of wind blowing into the air vents.
Baffles may be included on an end cap even if the end cap does not
utilize air vents to match the appearance of the adjacent two-sided
ridge vent that has baffles.
[0038] The end cap can be composed of any material known in the
art. The end cap may be composed of non-woven strands of polymer,
of a mat composed of hog's hair and coconut fiber, of mesh wire, of
synthetic wire or nylon wire. The end cap may be molded or cast
metal or polymer; for example, injection molded plastic. Polymer
comprising the end cap may be reinforced, as by glass or carbon
fibers. The end cap may be composed of sheet materials such as
sheet corrugated plastic or sheet metal.
[0039] Where the end cap is composed of sheet corrugated plastic,
the sheet corrugated plastic composing the first and second tapered
supports may define channels communicating between an interior
volume of the end cap and the ambient air, to provide movement of
ventilation air through the channels and out of the area under the
roof.
[0040] The end cap may be injection molded as a lower portion and
an upper portion, the lower portion being configured to engage the
roof deck, the upper portion defining the end cap shingle
supporting surface. The injection molded upper and lower portions
maintain the shape of the end cap and conform the first and second
edges to the shape of the end of the two-sided ridge vent.
Alternatively, the injection molded end cap may be molded as a
single portion or as three or more portions.
[0041] The second end of the shingle supporting surface may be
curved. The first and second edges may be curved. The first end of
the shingle supporting surface is any shape that conforms to the
end of the two-sided ridge vent.
[0042] In the method of the invention, an installer will install
shingles on first and second intersecting roof decks that define a
peak or a hip. The installer then will install a prior art
two-sided ridge vent over a prepared slot through the roof decks at
the peak or hip. The installer will install the end cap of the
invention at the end of the prior art two-sided ridge vent. The
installer may install the end cap at both ends of the prior art
two-sided ridge vent. The installer finally will install
overlapping barrier shingles along the peak or hip, over the end
cap and over the two-sided ridge vent.
[0043] In another aspect of the method of the invention, the
installer will install the prior art two-sided ridge vent over a
prepared slot on a peak or hip proximal to an obstacle, such as a
chimney or wall. The installer will install the end cap between the
end of the two-sided ridge vent and the obstacle. The installer
will finally install a continuous barrier of overlapping shingles
over the peak or hip, including over the end cap and the two-sided
ridge vent.
[0044] In another aspect of the method of the invention relating to
intersecting peaks or hips, the installer will install the
two-sided end cap so that the second end of the shingle supporting
surface is proximal to the point of intersection of the peaks or
hips and install the two-sided ridge vent adjacent to the first end
of the end cap. The installer may install more than one end cap
with the second end proximal to the point of intersection. For
example, in a typical hip roof situation having an intersection of
two hips and one peak, the installer may install three end caps,
each with the second end proximal to the point of intersection of
the two hips and one peak. The installer then will install three
two-sided ridge vents, with one two-sided ridge vent for each of
the hips and one for the peak. The installer may install end caps
at the other end of each of the two-sided ridge vents. The
installer finally will apply a continuous course of overlapping
barrier shingles over all of the hips and the peak, including the
end caps and two-sided ridge vents.
B. One-Sided Ridge Vent Tapered End Cap
[0045] The Invention also is a one-sided tapered end cap that is
configured to conform to a roof peak or hip and is configured to be
disposed immediately adjacent to the end of a one-sided ridge vent
that is installed on the peak or hip. A one-sided ridge vent is
taught by issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,212,833 and 6,447,392 issued Apr.
10, 2001 and Sep. 10, 2002 respectively, to the inventor of the
present Invention and incorporated by reference herein. A one-sided
ridge vent is similar in construction to a two-sided ridge vent
except that the one-sided ridge vent features channels or openings
communicating from the interior volume of the one-sided ridge vent
on only one side of the vent and disposed over only one of the two
intersecting roof decks, rather than both sides and both roof
decks, as is the case for the two-sided ridge vent. The other side
of the one-sided ridge vent conforms to the other of the two
intersecting roof decks and in height is `equivalent,` as defined
herein, to the other of the two roof decks.
[0046] A one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap is similar in
construction and use to a two-sided ridge vent tapered end cap,
except that the one-sided end cap features a tapered support under
only one of the first and second edges of the shingle support
surface, rather than both the first and second edges, as is the
case for the two-sided ridge vent tapered end cap. The height of
the first end of the one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap is
selected at each location along the end cap first end to be
equivalent to the height of the end of the one-sided ridge vent
adjacent to which the end cap will be disposed. The tapered support
is configured in the same manner as the tapered supports for the
two-sided ridge vent tapered end caps. The edge of the shingle
support surface on the other of the first and second edges; that
is, the edge not supported by the tapered support, is configured to
be `equivalent` in height, as defined herein, to the roof deck over
which the one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap is installed.
[0047] The one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap embodiment is
configured to conform to the intersecting roof decks defining the
peak or hip in the same manner as the two-sided ridge vent tapered
end cap; namely, by a hinge or predetermined bend generally normal
to the first end of the one-sided end cap.
[0048] The one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap may feature
channels or other air vents communicating through the tapered
support and to an interior volume, and hence to the slot and to the
area under the roof, just as a two-sided roof vent may feature air
vents. The one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap may feature a
baffle or a fabric filter, as indicated for two-sided ridge vent
tapered end caps.
[0049] In all respects, the one-sided ridge vent tapered end cap
may have all of the features and applications of the two-sided
ridge vent tapered end cap, except that only one of the first and
second edges of the shingle supporting surface will be supported by
a tapered support.
C. Advantages
[0050] Use of the two-sided ridge vent end cap of the invention
avoids the leakage and aesthetic disadvantages of the prior art
two-sided ridge vent by fully supporting shingles that overlap the
ends of the two-sided ridge vent. The installer will use the
two-sided ridge vent end cap in combination with a prior art
two-sided ridge vent to create a continuous shingle barrier along
the peak or hip of a roof while allowing ventilation air to escape
through the peak or hip. The continuous shingle barrier will hide
the ends of the two-sided ridge vent and will prevent water
intrusion through or under the ends of the two-sided ridge vent.
The continuous shingle barrier is fully supported by the end cap,
preventing premature failure of the shingles.
[0051] The tapered two-sided ridge vent end cap of the Invention
solves the problems of the prior art two-sided ridge vent. The
two-sided ridge vent end cap allows the two-sided ridge vent to be
used to ventilate a hip of a roof without leakage and with improved
appearance, substantially increasing the ventilation options
available to the installer. The two-sided ridge vent cap of the
invention avoids the issues of installing a ridge vent near
obstacles, such as a chimney or wall, by providing a continuous
shingle barrier to moisture penetrating below the two-sided ridge
vent. The two-sided ridge vent end cap of the invention avoids any
mitering of the two-sided ridge vent in the case of intersecting
peaks hips, because the installer can terminate the ridge vent
before the point of intersection and hide the ends of the two-sided
ridge vent with the tapered end cap covered by the overlapping
barrier shingles.
[0052] The two-sided ridge vent end cap of the Invention also
allows the installer to avoid the aesthetic issues of ventilating
the peak of a roof having a gable end sway back. The taper of the
end cap of the Invention compensates for the gable end sway back,
improving the appearance of a ventilated roof compared to an
unventilated roof having the gable end sway back and compared to a
ventilated roof having a two-sided ridge vent without the end cap
of the Invention.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof peak.
[0054] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a prior art roof peak.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the Invention being
installed on a roof peak.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the Invention
installed on a roof peak.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention installed on a
roof peak.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end cap.
[0059] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end cap bent about a
hinge.
[0060] FIG. 8 is an end view of the end cap.
[0061] FIG. 9 is a side view of the end cap with filter fabric
removed.
[0062] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a prior art ventilated hip
roof.
[0063] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hip roof ventilated
using the end cap.
[0064] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a prior art roof peak with
an obstacle.
[0065] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a prior art roof peak
having intersecting peaks.
[0066] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the roof peak with an
obstacle ventilated using the end cap.
[0067] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the roof peak having
intersecting peaks ventilated using the end cap.
[0068] FIG. 16 is a side view of a prior art ventilated roof having
a gable end sway back.
[0069] FIG. 17 is the side view of the roof having the gable end
sway back ventilated using the end cap.
[0070] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an end cap composed of a
molded polymer and having a top and bottom.
[0071] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an end cap having a
baffle.
[0072] FIG. 20 is a side view of an end cap having a non-linear
taper.
[0073] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an end cap having a
non-linear taper and a baffle.
[0074] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an end cap having a linear
taper and a baffle.
[0075] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a ventilated end cap with
filter fabric removed.
[0076] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the ventilated end cap with
the filter fabric.
[0077] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the ventilated end cap.
[0078] FIG. 26 is a side view of a roof having obstacles.
[0079] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a one sided end cap.
[0080] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a one sided end cap bent to
conform to a peak or hip.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0081] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the operation of a prior art
two-sided ridge vent 2 and prior art end caps 4 for two-sided ridge
vents 2. A prior art two sided ridge vent 2 is installed at the
peak 6 of the roof 8. The first and second roof decks 10, 12
intersect to define a slot 14. The roof decks 10, 12 are covered by
overlapping shingles 16 to form a composite barrier to water.
[0082] The prior art two-sided ridge vent 2 includes a first vent
20 and a second vent 22. The first vent 20 conforms to the first
roof deck 10 on one side of the slot 14. The second vent 22
conforms to the second roof deck 12 on the second side of the slot
14. The two-sided ridge vent shingle supporting surface 24 covers
the first and second vents 20, 22 and conforms to the angle 26
between the first and second roof decks 10, 12 normal to the
horizontal line 28 defined by the intersection of the first and
second roof decks 10, 12. The ridge vent shingle supporting surface
24 and the first and second vents 20, 22 define a ridge vent
interior volume 30. The attic or other area under the roof 32 is in
fluid communication with the ridge vent interior volume 30 through
slot 14. The ridge vent interior volume 30 is in fluid
communication with the outside air through the first and second
vents 20, 22. Heated air 34 moves from the area under the roof 32
through the two-sided ridge vent 2 and to the outside air. Shingles
16 cover the ridge vent shingle supporting surface 24, protecting
it from the elements and making the two-sided ridge vent consistent
in appearance with the rest of the roof.
[0083] FIGS. 3 and 4 show installation of the two-sided tapered end
cap on a roof peak. through 9 and 25 show the two-sided tapered end
cap 36 of the Invention. As shown by FIGS. 6 through 9, the
two-sided tapered end cap 36 has an end cap shingle supporting
surface 38. The shingle supporting surface 38 defines an underside
40 and a perimeter 42 and a longitudinal axis 44. The perimeter 42
defines a first end 46 that is generally normal to the longitudinal
axis 44, a second end 48 opposite to the first end 46. The
perimeter 42 also defines a first edge 50 and a second edge 52,
both generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 42 and disposed on
opposite sides of the perimeter 42. A first tapered support 54 is
attached to underside 40 of the shingle supporting surface 38 along
the first edge 50. A second tapered support 56 is attached to the
underside 40 of the shingle supporting surface 38 along the second
edge 52. The tapered supports 54, 56 taper from the first end 46
toward the second end 48, with the tapered supports 54, 56 thinner
at the second end 48.
[0084] The first and second tapered supports 54, 56 in combination
with the shingle supporting surface 38 define an end cap height 58.
The end cap height 58 at the first end 46 is selected to be
`equivalent` to the corresponding height of the ridge vent shingle
supporting surface 24 at the end 60 of a two-sided ridge vent 2
when the two-sided tapered end cap 36 is placed on a peak 6 or hip
of a roof 8 with the first end 46 immediately adjacent to the ridge
vent end 60. The end cap height 58 at the second end 48 is selected
to be `equivalent` to the roof deck 10, 12 on which the two-sided
tapered end cap 36 is installed. As noted above, the term
`equivalent` means that the differences in height are adequately
small that a shingle 16 spanning the ridge vent shingle supporting
surface 24 and the end cap shingle supporting surface 38 at the
first end 60 will not fail due to the difference in height under
ordinary use. Similarly, the term `equivalent` means that a shingle
16 spanning the end cap shingle supporting surface 38 at the end
cap second end 48 and the roof deck 10, 12 will not fail due to the
difference in height under ordinary use. A difference in height of
3/16 of an inch has proven to be `equivalent` in practice.
[0085] As shown by FIGS. 6-8, and 19, the two-sided tapered end cap
36 features a hinge 62 defined by the two-sided tapered end cap
shingle supporting surface 38 and parallel to the longitudinal axis
44. The hinge 62 is configured so that the end cap shingle
supporting surface 38 may bend to conform to the first and second
roof decks 10, 12 when the two-sided tapered end cap 36 is
installed on a peak 6 or hip of a roof 8.
[0086] The hinge 62 is located to correspond to the bend of
two-side ridge vent 2 at the peak 6 or hip of the roof 8. The hinge
62 may be located equidistant from the first and second edges 50,
52. Alternatively, the hinge 62 may be located closer to one of the
edges 50, 52 than the other of the edges 50, 52, as appropriate to
conform to the two-sided ridge vent 2.
[0087] Hinge 62 may be defined by a physical feature, such as a
groove 64 cut into the underside 40 of the end cap shingle
supporting surface 38. Any other hinge 62 known in the art is
contemplated by the Invention. Hinge 62 may be defined by the
structure of the end cap shingle supporting surface 38 itself, by
selecting a resilient material for the end cap shingle supporting
surface 38 that allows the end cap shingle supporting surface 38 to
flex in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis 44 by an amount
sufficient to conform to the first and second roof decks 10, 12.
The two-sided tapered end cap 36 may dispense with a hinge 62 and
may be manufactured with a pre-determined bend 66 that is selected
to conform to an angle 26 between the first and second roof decks
10, 12.
[0088] For the two-sided tapered end cap 36 that is ventilated, the
first and second tapered supports 54, 56 in combination with the
end cap shingle supporting surface 38 define an interior volume 68.
Interior volume 68 is in communication with opening 70 defined by
the first and second tapered supports 54, 56. When the two-sided
tapered end cap 36 is ventilated and is installed on a peak 6 or
hip of a roof 6 having a slot 14, the interior volume 68 is in
communication with the area under the roof through the opening 70
and the slot 14. Interior volume 68 also is in communication with
outside air through channels 72 defined by the first and second
tapered supports 54, 56. First and second tapered supports 54, 56,
and hence channels 72, may be defined by layers of corrugated
plastic sheets 74, as illustrated by FIGS. 6-9, 19, and 23. When
the channels 72 are defined by corrugated plastic sheets 74,
channels 72 are elongated to prevent the entry of water, debris or
insects but also allow passage of heated air 34 from the attic
32.
[0089] Channels 72 may be covered by fabric filter 76 to further
restrict the entry of debris, insects or water into channels 72 and
hence into the attic area 32 or other area under the roof 8. Fabric
filter 76 may be composed of a wettable fabric to assist in washing
debris or insects from fabric filter 76 by rain or other water.
Fabric filter 76 may wrap about the end cap shingle supporting
surface and below the tapered supports 54, 56 as illustrated by
FIGS. 8 and 24 so that nails securing the tapered end cap to the
peak 6 or hip pass through the both the upper and lower portions of
the fabric filter 76, securing the fabric filter 76 in place on the
roof 6.
[0090] The tapered end cap 36 may feature baffles 78, as
illustrated by FIGS. 19, 21 and 22. Baffles 78 are attached to the
first and second tapered supports 54, 56 and reduce the effect of
wind blowing upon the end of channels 76 for a two-sided tapered
end cap 36 that is ventilated. Baffles 78 also may appear on a
tapered end cap 36 that is not ventilated; that is, a tapered end
cap that does not have channels 72 that communicate with the attic
area 32 under the roof 8, to match the appearance of the two-sided
ridge vent 2 with which the tapered end cap 36 is used. Where the
ridge vent 2 features baffles 78, the tapered end cap 36 preferably
also will feature baffles 78 to match the appearance of the ridge
vent 2, regardless of whether the tapered end cap 36 is ventilated
and features channels 72.
[0091] As illustrated by FIGS. 18 and 20-22, the tapered end cap 36
may be composed of materials other that corrugated plastic sheets
74, such as a polymer 80, including injection molded plastic. In
the tapered end cap 36 of FIG. 18, the end cap 36 is formed of a
unitary piece of polymer. Alternatively, the tapered end cap 36 may
be assembled from two or more pieces of polymer 80, such as a base
81 that defines the first and second tapered supports 54, 56 and a
separate shingle supporting surface 38. The polymer 80 is
illustrated in FIG. 18 as formed with a predetermined bend 66, but
can be formed with hinge 62. The polymer 80 defines the first and
second tapered supports 54, 56, which in turn define the channels
72. In this instance, the channels 72 are openings in the first and
second tapered end supports 54, 56 and are not elongated. The
tapered end cap 36 that is formed from polymer 80 may be ventilated
or not ventilated. If the end cap 36 is not ventilated, then the
channels 72 are not required. As illustrated by FIGS. 21, 22 and 24
The tapered end cap 36 formed of polymer 80 may feature
reinforcements 82 to support the shingle supporting surface 38.
[0092] The shingle supporting surface 38 is tapered from the first
end 46 to the second end 48. The taper may be linear, as
illustrated by FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 and 27.
Alternatively, the taper may be non-linear, as illustrated by FIGS.
20 and 21. Specifically, the taper may be curved toward the second
end 48 of the shingle supporting surface 38. The first and second
ends 46, 48 may be parallel and normal to the longitudinal axis, as
illustrated by FIGS. 6, 7, 19 and others. Alternatively, the second
end 48 may be curved, as illustrated by FIG. 18.
[0093] Use and installation of the two-sided tapered end cap 36 is
illustrated by FIGS. 3-5, 10-17, and FIG. 26. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate
installation of the tapered end cap 36 on the peak 6 of a roof 8.
The roof 8 has a peak 8 that includes a slot 14. Shingles 16 are
installed on the roof decks 10, 12 and a two-sided roof vent 2 is
installed at the peak 6 spanning the slot 14. The first end 46 of
the two-sided tapered end cap 36 is installed immediately adjacent
to the end 60 of the two-sided ridge vent 2. The end cap height 58
of the first end 46 is equivalent to the height of the
corresponding locations on the end 60 of the ridge vent 2, to
provide an effectively continuous shingling surface. The end cap
height 58 at the second end 48 is equivalent to the height of the
roof deck 10, 12 to which it is attached, also to provide an
effectively continuous shingling surface. As shown by FIG. 4,
shingles 16 are applied to the ridge vent shingle supporting
surface 24 and to the two-sided end cap shingle supporting surface
38. The shingles 16 form an overlapping surface to prevent the
intrusion of rain or other water. The one of the vents 20, 22 of
the ridge vent 2 and one of the tapered supports 54, 56 of the
tapered end cap 36 are exposed, allowing air 34 to exit the attic
or other area under the roof 32. As indicated above, the channels
72 of the tapered supports 54, 56 may be protected by a fabric
filter 76 or baffles 78.
[0094] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a roof featuring the tapered end
cap 36 of the invention. Because the shingles 16 are fully
supported by the shingle supporting surface 38 of the tapered end
cap 36, by the single supporting surface 24 of the two-sided ridge
vent 2 and by the roof deck 10, 12, the shingles 16 will not fail
prematurely due to a lack of support. Vents 24 defined by the
two-sided ridge vent 2 and channels 72 defined by tapered supports
54, 56 are exposed to the outside air, allowing heated air 34 to
escape from the area under the roof 32.
[0095] FIGS. 10 and 11 contract the prior art ventilation of a roof
8 having a hip 82 with ventilation using the end cap 36 of the
Invention. From FIG. 10, a roof 8 featuring four hips 82 and a
relatively small length of peak 6 is shown. The peak 6 and the hips
82 are defined by intersecting pairs of roof decks. The pairs of
roof decks intersect to define lines. Where the lines intersect is
a point 86. A conventional two-sided ridge vent 2 is installed at
the peak 6. No two-sided ridge vent 2 is installed on the hips 82,
for the reasons discussed above. In the case of a roof 8 having
hips 82, it can be very difficult for the roofing contractor to
identify an adequate amount of ridge 8 to adequately ventilate the
area under the roof 32.
[0096] FIG. 11 illustrates a solution to the problem of FIG. 10
using the two-sided tapered end cap 36 of the Invention. Two-sided
ridge vents 2 are installed over slots 14 defined by the
intersecting roof decks at the hips 82. End caps 36 are installed
at least at the upper ends 60 of the two-sided end caps 2, and
preferably at both ends 60. The tapered end caps 36, in combination
with the two-sided ridge vents 2 and the roof decks 10, 12 fully
support shingles 16 installed over the hip 82, tapered end cap 36
and ridge vent 2, avoiding failure of the shingles 16 and leakage
of water into the area under the roof 32. The fully supported
shingles 16 also provide an improved appearance, compared with no
end tapered end caps 36. The two-sided ridge vents 2 and tapered
end caps 36 provide additional exhaust ventilation to allow heated
air 34 to escape from the area under the roof 32, easing the task
of the ventilation designer.
[0097] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate use of the tapered end cap 36 of the
invention to overcome common problems of current technology
two-sided ridge vents 2. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate prior
technology two-sided ridge vents 2 used to ventilate a roof 8
having an obstacle (FIG. 12) and a roof having intersecting peaks 6
(FIG. 13). In both instances, the exposed end 60 of the two-sided
ridge vent is unsightly and provides an opportunity for water to
enter the area under the roof 32.
[0098] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate use of the two-sided tapered end
cap 36 to resolve the problems shown by FIGS. 12 and 13. As shown
by FIG. 14, the second end 48 of the tapered end cap 36 is placed
proximal to an obstacle 84 and adjacent to the two-sided ridge vent
2. The tapered end cap 36 allows a continuous and overlapping
surface of shingles 16 to be installed at the peak 6 and over the
end cap 36 and ridge vent 2, preventing water intrusion through the
end 60 of the ridge vent 2. As shown by FIG. 15, the lines defined
by the intersecting roof decks 10, 12 intersect to define a point
86. Tapered end caps 36 are installed with the second end 48
proximal to the point 86 and with the first ends 46 adjacent to the
ends 60 of the ridge vents 2. As described above, the ridge vents 2
and end caps 36 may be covered by fully supported, continuous and
overlapping shingles 16. The installer is not required to miter the
ends 60 of the ridge vents 2 to create a continuous
shingle-supporting surface, easing installation and avoiding
opportunities for installer error, leakage and repair.
[0099] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate use of the tapered end cap 36 of
the invention to address the problem of gable end sway back, as
defined above. In gable end sway back, a gable 88 of a roof is
higher than the remainder of the roof peak 6. Use of a prior art
two-sided ridge vent 2, illustrated by FIG. 16, exacerbates the
unsightly nature of the gable end sway back and also provides an
opportunity for leakage through the end 60 of the ridge vent 2 due
to the slope of the peak 6 from the gable 88 toward the end 60 of
the ridge vent 2. By installing a tapered end cap 36 at the end 60
of the ridge vent 2 with the second end 48 proximal to the gable
88, the unsightly gable end sway back is disguised and the
appearance of the roof improved. The opportunity for leakage
through end 60 of the ridge vent 2 also is reduced.
[0100] FIG. 26 illustrates that a typical roof 8 may feature
several instances where use of the tapered end cap 36 of the
invention is appropriate. From the left to the right of FIG. 26, a
hip 82 can feature a ridge vent 2 with a tapered end cap 36
disposed at either end 60. The tapered end caps 36 are located so
that the second ends 48 of the tapered end caps 36 are located
proximal to the point 86 created by the intersection of the
horizontal line defined by the roof decks forming the peak 6 and
the line defined by the intersection of the roof decks defining the
hip 82. The tapered end caps 36 also are located so that the second
end 48 of the tapered end caps 36 are located proximal to an
obstacle 84 interrupting the peak 6, in this instance a chimney. A
point 86 also may be defined by intersecting peaks 6, shown on the
right of FIG. 26. The tapered end caps 36 are oriented so that the
second end 46 of the tapered end caps 36 are located proximal to
the point 86. The second end 46 of a tapered end cap 36 also is
located proximal to a gable 88, to compensate for gable end sway
back.
[0101] The two sided ridge vent end cap 36 of the invention and the
two sided ridge vent 2 may be integrated into a single two sided
ridge vent having a two sided tapered end. In such event, the end
60 of the two sided ridge vent 2 is joined to the first end 46 of
the end cap 36.
[0102] One sided ridge vents also are known in the art. A one sided
ridge vent is similar in construction to a two sided ridge vent,
except that the single sided ridge vent is lacking one of the edge
supports of a two-sided ridge vent and hence is lacking the first
or the second vent 20, 22. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate a one-sided
tapered end cap 90. The one-sided tapered end cap 90 is used in
conjunction with a one sided ridge vent. The one sided tapered end
cap 90 has a single tapered support 56 that may feature channels
72. The one sided tapered end cap 90 also may feature a fabric
filter 76 covering the channels 72 and may feature a baffle 78
reducing the effect of wind on the channels 72. The one sided
tapered end cap may feature a hinge 62 or a predetermined bend 66.
In all respects, the structure, use and operation of the one sided
tapered end cap 90 is the same as that of the two sided end cap 36,
except that the one sided end cap 90 is used only in conjunction
with a one sided ridge vent.
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