Flashing tool

Abstract

A tool for forming flashing is disclosed. The tool includes an elongate rod member, a handle member disposed on a first end of the rod member, and a spade member on a second end of the rod member opposite the first end, wherein the spade member includes first and second spades symmetrically disposed and having a gap therebetween.

Claims

1. A tool for forming an S-fold in flashing, comprising: an elongate rod member; a handle member disposed on a first end of said rod member; and a forming member on a second end of said rod member opposite the first end; wherein said forming member comprises: first and second flat plate members symmetrically disposed and fixed one atop the other and having a gap therebetween; wherein each of said first and second flat plate members comprise a first edge and a second edge, each of said first and said second edges meeting at a corner, wherein said first and said second edges and corner are configured to impart said S-fold in said flashing.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein each of said first and said second forming members is spade shaped.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein each of said first and said second forming members is shaped as a right triangle.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said gap is between 0.010 inches and 0.020 inches.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein said gap is between 0.020 inches and 0.040 inches.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle member and said elongate rod member are configured in a T-shape.

7. A method for manually creating kick-out flashing, comprising: providing the tool of claim 1; placing a portion of flashing stock between said first and second flat plate members of said tool; rotating said tool so as to create an S-fold in said flashing stock; wherein an amount of rotation determines a kick-out angle of said kick-out flashing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said kick-out angle is in part determined by a distance between said first edge and said second edge of said first and said second plate members, respectively.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present embodiments are illustrated by way of the figures of the accompanying drawings, which may not necessarily be to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a flashing tool according to one embodiment, engaged with stock flashing material;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of a flashing tool according to one embodiment, engaged with stock flashing material;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a kick-out flashing component formed by the flashing tool of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a flashing tool according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows a top view of a flashing tool 100 according to one non-limiting embodiment. In this embodiment, the flashing tool 100 includes an elongate rod 105 having a handle portion 110 and a forming portion 115 on opposite end portions, respectively. In this embodiment, the handle portion 110 is provided as a “T” shaped handle as shown; however, other handle conformations can be utilized as desired. Without limitation, the T-shaped handle may provide a mechanical advantage as, in this embodiment, the flashing tool 100 is configured to be twisted about the elongate axis of rod 105 as explained in greater detail below.

(7) In this embodiment, forming portion 115 includes a top spade 120 and a bottom spade 121 (FIG. 2) symmetrically disposed one atop the other and having a gap therebetween. (While the gap is not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1-2, its presence is derived by stock material S being shown interposed between top (120) and bottom (121) spades in FIGS. 1-2.) Each of the top (120) and bottom (121) spades includes a left and right edge; for example, top spade 120 includes left (130) and right (135) edges; bottom spade 121 includes left (136) and right (131) edges. In this embodiment, the left and right sides of the top (120) and bottom (121) spades converge at tip 125. In general, the gap between top (120) and bottom (121) spades can be slightly larger than the thickness of flashing stock material S being used, or as desired.

(8) Flashing tool 100 can be used to form flashing, in particular, kick-out flashing. While the present example shows the formation of kick-out flashing, it should be understood that any other type of flashing can be formed with flashing tool 100. To form kick-out flashing, a user can begin with a piece of stock material S. In this embodiment, stock material S is galvanized steel; however, any other desired material can be utilized. In this example, if the stock material S is not already pre-formed as a right angle, a user can place a bend that bisects the length of stock material S as shown. Some stock material S is available pre-formed in a right-angle configuration.

(9) Referring to FIG. 1 in particular, in this example, the user can insert the stock material S into the gap of the flashing tool 100. Placement of the flashing tool 100 relative to the horizontal axis x as illustrated in FIG. 1 can determine the placement of the kick-out angle as described in greater detail below. In general, it can be advantageous to position tip 125 adjacent, or near to the right-angle fold of the stock material S as shown.

(10) With the flashing tool 100 positioned in the conformation as shown in FIG. 1, the user can execute a 180-degree twist of the flashing tool 100 in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in this example, the twisting motion is executed clockwise as illustrated by the dashed arrows proximal to handle portion 110 in FIG. 1. In doing so, referring to FIG. 3, an S-fold is created in the horizontal portion (the x-y plane) of stock material S that includes fold F.sub.1 and F.sub.2, and, naturally a third fold F.sub.3 is created in the vertical portion (the x-z plane) of stock material S at an angle θ.

(11) Because the flashing tool 100 was rotated in a clockwise direction, fold F.sub.1 derives from edge 130 and fold F.sub.2 derives in part from edge 135 of the forming portion 115. It should be evident that, had the user twisted the flashing tool 100 in a counter-clockwise direction, that the S-fold would be in the opposite conformation. Such flexibility allows the user to determine which S-fold conformation is optimal for the direction of the kick-out flashing, taking water runoff direction and other factors into account. In this and other embodiments, the S-fold can be easily flattened to a minimum profile using, e.g., a hammer. It should be understood that the flashing tool 100 need not be rotated exactly 180 degrees to form the S-fold.

(12) In this and other embodiments, the kick-out angle θ formed by the flashing tool 100 can be determined by the greatest distance between left and right edges (e.g., edges 130 and 135) of the top (120) and bottom (121) spades. In general, a smaller distance between edges will result in a smaller angle θ and vice-versa.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of a flashing tool 200 is shown according to one alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, like flashing tool 100, flashing tool 200 includes an elongate rod 205 joined with a handle portion 210 in a “T” configuration. In this embodiment, the flashing tool 200 includes a forming portion 215 that itself includes two right triangle plates 220 positioned one atop the other and having a gap therebetween sufficient to receive a portion of flashing material. It should be understood that FIG. 4 is a top plan view of flashing tool 200 and therefore only the top right triangle plate 220 is shown for figure clarity. A bottom right triangle plate of equal dimensions is disposed directly beneath and aligned with top right triangle plate 220.

(14) In this embodiment, the forming portion 215 includes three angles, 222, 224 and 226, wherein, in this embodiment, angle 222 is a ninety-degree right angle. Dashed line 228 illustrates an alternative embodiment, wherein the bottom portion of forming portion 215 includes additional area (bounded by the dashed line) that can be useful in creating custom folds of flashing stock.

(15) Like flashing tool 100, the top (220) and bottom plates of the forming portion 215 are separated by a gap that is sufficient to receive a portion of flashing stock. In this and other embodiments, the gap may be set so as to receive a single ply of flashing stock between top and bottom plates of the forming portion 215. For example, and without limitation, the gap between top and bottom plates can be between 0.010 inches and 0.02 inches, which may be suitable for residential flashing stock. For industrial applications, the plate gap can be between 0.020 and 0.030 inches, without limitation, to allow receiving thicker flashing stock. In some embodiments, the plate gap can be set to receive two or more stacked flashing stock pieces. For example, for residential applications, the plate gap can be 0.040 inches to allow two flashing pieces to be bent at one time.

(16) In general, forming portion 115 and 215 provide for receiving a portion of flat flashing stock that, when rotated after receiving the flat flashing stock, imparts a kick-out angle to the flashing stock. The flashing stock can then be used as a kick-out flashing piece and installed on a roof, for example.

(17) A number of illustrative embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments presented herein. For example, forming portion 115 can be reversibly-attachable to rod 105, allowing different spade sizes to be utilized for forming various kick-out angles θ; rod 105 can be substantially flat, providing an edge surface for forming the right-angle fold in otherwise flat stock material. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.