Abstract
Combination drip edge starter strips and methods for using them to prevent wind and moisture damage to the shingles at the edge of a building roof. The devices are used to initiate placement of roofing shingles at the roof edge.
Claims
1. A drip edge device for protecting roof shingles at an eave comprising: a drip edge that includes an upper edge and a lower edge; a starter strip flange attached perpendicular to the drip edge, which comprises an extended flange portion that provides a multilateral surface with four or more sides for laying a first row of roofing shingles; and an extension of the upper edge of the drip edge, which is disposed over the starter strip flange, wherein the starter strip flange, the upper edge of the drip edge, and the extension of the upper edge form a unitary flat spring structure that creates a spring action clip for receiving and securing roofing shingles.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein a pliable line divides the drip edge into an upper portion that extends above a plane on which-the starter strip flange lies and a lower portion that extends below the plane on which the starter strip flange lies.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower edge of the drip edge is terminated by a drip edge lip formed at an angle in relation to said lower edge of the drip edge.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the spring action clip is arced, angled or U-shaped.
5. The device of claim 1 comprising two similarly shaped, opposed starter strip flanges that are joined to each other at one side edge thereof at an angle.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the angle between the joined starter strip flanges is adjustable to correspond with an angle of a roof peak over which the joined starter strip flanges are installed.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the spring action clip is terminated by a grip edge.
8. A roofing system that includes a roof comprising one or more eaves overhanging side walls of a building; and a drip edge device comprising: a vertically disposed drip edge that includes an upper edge and a lower edge; a starter strip flange attached perpendicular to the drip edge, which comprises an extended flange portion that provides a multilateral surface with four or more sides for laying a first row of roofing shingles; and an extension of the upper edge of the drip edge, which is disposed over the starter strip flange, wherein the starter strip flange, the upper edge of the drip edge, and the extension of the upper edge form a unitary flat spring structure that creates a spring action clip for receiving and securing roofing shingles.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the shingle is formed of asphalt or asphalt composite.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein a pliable line divides the drip edge into an upper portion that extends above a plane on which the starter strip flange lies and a lower portion that extends below the plane on which the starter strip flange lies.
11. The system of claim 7 wherein the lower edge of the drip edge is terminated by a drip edge lip formed at an angle in relation to said lower edge of the drip edge.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein the spring action clip is arced, angled or U-shaped.
13. The system of claim 8 comprising two similarly shaped, opposed starter strip flanges that are joined to each other at one side edge thereof at an angle.
14. A method of preventing a roof damage comprising: installing one or more roofing boards over a roof frame; applying an underlayment layer over the one or more roofing boards; affixing over the underlayment layer a drip edge device that includes a vertically disposed drip edge that includes an upper edge and a lower edge; a starter strip flange attached perpendicular to the drip edge, which comprises an extended flange portion that provides a multilateral surface with four or more sides for laying a first row of roofing shingles; and an extension of the upper edge of the drip edge, which is disposed over the starter strip flange, wherein the starter strip flange, the upper edge of the drip edge, and the extension of the upper edge form a unitary a flat spring structure that create a spring action clip for receiving and securing roofing shingles; attaching a starter row of shingles onto the starter strip flange; and attaching a further row of shingles to overlap the starter row of shingles, and consecutively attaching additional layers of shingles to completely cover the underlayment layer.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein one or more drip edge devices are joined along eaves of the roof frame.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination drip edge starter strip according to the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a combination roof peak drip edge starter strip device installed at a roof peak according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a drip edge starter strip device of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of a combination drip edge starter strip device according to the invention showing an alternate curved spring clip means for securing the edge of a shingle to the starter strip.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a combination drip edge starter strip showing the range of movement of the spring clip to accommodate placement of a shingle.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drip edge starter strip of the invention installed in relation to a roof eave.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drip edge starter strip of the invention comprising a creased or folded clip for ease of handling and installation.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention provide one or more drip edges to facilitate runoff of water or condensate from a roof surface, combined with an integrally formed starter strip for underlayment of the first row of shingles deposited on the baseboard surface of the roof structure. The various embodiments of such a device may be installed at the edges of roof peaks to facilitate runoff. While roofs are usually installed in flow communication with a gutter that extends around the periphery of the roof, the drip edges of the invention are useful even when a gutter is not present.
[0018] As used herein, the term substantially vertically positioned, means that the vertical plane of the drip edge is approximately perpendicular and at right angles to the horizontal plane of the starter strip flange of the invention to which the drip edge is connected. At the distal unconnected end of the exemplary drip edge of the invention there is a lip that is disposed at a slight angle, preferably at an angle greater than 90 The device of the invention is connected directly to the roof underlayment of the building in which it is installed. Contiguous with the topmost end of the drip edge is a starter strip flange. This flange is formed as a planar element. It serves as an integrated starter strip that provides an anchor for the device beneath the roof surface and also serves as a stable point of attachment for the first row of shingles. This feature prevents the shingles closest to the roof edge from lifting during wind or rain and prevents water penetration beneath the edge. In roofing construction, typically a separate starter strip must be purchased or provided as part of roofing system kits. However, the current invention eliminates the need to purchase a separate starter strip. Since it is offers one unitary piece for installation, the invention also saves time and manpower in the construction of the roof. At the end of the starter strip flange and proximal to the drip edge, the device further includes a flexible spring action clip. The clip in certain embodiments is approximately U-shaped, either as an angled U-configuration or as a more rounded or claw-like feature. The upper wall of the clip is parallel to the planar surface of the starter strip flange, which also forms the lower wall of the clip. The receptacle area between these upper and lower walls is sized to accommodate the edge width of a standard roof shingle as received by the clip edge. The width of the receptacle area between the upper wall and the lower wall is sized to accommodate the thickness of the shingle installed in the starter row. This width is varied by the spring-like action of the upper wall of the clip in relation to the surface of the starter strip flange. The spring action clip has some degree of flexibility to allow for minor variations in thickness of the shingles and also to allow the clip to flex open slightly to receive the edge of the shingle and then grip the shingle tightly after it is inserted.
[0019] The devices of the invention do not require installation with a gutter or any flow communication with a gutter. However, depending on the roof configuration, runoff from the drip edge lip may be aligned to channel into a gutter or other catchment apparatus installed in relation to the roof. The extended starter strip flange provides a more secure attachment to the roof; and thus eliminates the need for a separate starter strip. Moreover, the spring action clip element secures the starter row of shingles at their vulnerable point of attachment. Not only is water prevented from contacting the building side walls, the gap can be kept rodent free and otherwise bar the entry of wild animals, birds and other pests. The devices of the invention are safer, easier and cheaper to install when installation is performed at the time a new roof is being installed. The cost of providing securely anchored and multifunctional gutter covers is reduced to much less than the cost for installing conventional gutters with covers after the roof has already been built.
[0020] In construction, the flange end of the device is attached, for example by nailing or stapling, to the exposed roofing boards. The roofing board underlayment is typically of plywood or similar material. The device may be formed with one or more nail holes for points of attachment. The device is positioned with the drip edge hanging downward from the edge of a roof eave or peak and then attached at the starter strip flange to the roofing board underlayment. The clip is thus positioned at the edge of the eave to receive the shingles. Installation of roof shingles is then commenced by laying the first row of shingles and attaching them with roofing nails over the starter strip. The starter strip flange may optionally include an adhesive layer at the free edge thereof to further secure the starter row of shingles. Use of the starter strip flange eliminates the need for purchasing and installing a separate starter strip.
[0021] In certain embodiments of the invention there is provided a combination drip edge and starter strip which is installed at the edge of a roof peak. In this regard as shown in FIG. 1, an elongated starter strip flange 110 extends from the roof edge over the roof sheathing underlayment, preferably at least six inches or more in breadth, relative to the length of the drip edge 113, on either side of the roof peak. The flange is composed of substantially flat extended flange portions 112a and 112b angled around a median line 111, which corresponds in angle dimension to the roof peak. The device is flexible about the median line 111, as shown by the direction of the arrows in the figure, so that the flange portions 112a, 112b can be contracted or expanded at the peak angle to accommodate a range of roof pitch angles. The drip edge 113 is connected to the edges of the flange starter strip portions 112a, 112b at a perpendicular angle, and is terminated by a drip edge lip 119 at the unattached end thereof. The drip edge 113 has an upper portion that is an elongated planar surface extended at the top edge thereof above the plane of the flange, and an elongated lower portion with a lower edge thereof that is extended below the plane of the flange. The upper and lower portions of the drip edge are opposedly disposed about a fold line 116 so as to render both portions flexible and bendable about the line 116. This is especially useful for opening and closing the spring action clip formed at the terminus of the upper portion, and also for positioning the lower portion of the drip edge in relation to the building side walls to direct the trajectory of runoff water flow as a slight adjustment of angle from 90 may sometimes be necessary. The spring action clip 106 is positioned above the plane of the cover 101 to receive a horizontal engagement of a shingle edge (see FIG. 2). The lower wall of the spring action clip 106 on either side of the device in FIG. 1 is continuous with an end of the planar portion of the starter strip flange 112a or 112b and on either side of the peak the clip is oriented parallel to the plane of the roof board underlayment 200 (shown in FIG. 6). An extension of the upper portion of the drip edge 113 contiguously forms the upper and side wall of the clip 106, and with the adjacent end of the starter strip flange 112a, 112b. The upper and lower walls of the clip define a receptacle area 114 that grips and secures the edge of a shingle attached directly over the flange. The lower portion of the drip edge 113 hangs downward and substantially vertical to the plane of the starter strip flange, and functions to direct runoff emanating at the roof edge downward. It is terminated by the drip edge lip 119, which deflects the runoff. As shown in FIG. 2, a joined two-piece drip edge according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is installed over the roofing boards 200, which are typically of plywood, that form the roof peak at the apex, for example at the tip of a gable. Each corresponding starter strip section, for example flange portion 112b, is laid flat over the plywood layer 200 and the drip edge 113 is positioned to overhang the edge of the peak at the eave edge 220. The device is then secured by nailing or other fastening means. The spring clip 106 is flexed open to receive the edge of a shingle 300 along its length and then allowed to revert to the untensioned position to securely hold the shingles. Thus installed, water flow from the roof peak is directed downward along the drip edge 113 and deflected away from the building surfaces beneath the roof via drip edge lip 119. The device may be formed as one piece to cover a roof peak, as shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, it may be formed as two or more separate portions depending on the shape of the roof peak, for example as shown in FIG. 3, and installed separately. In either of the one-piece or multi-piece embodiments, the drip edge is characterized by a fold line 116 running the length thereof that is coplanar with and of the same length as the starter strip flange 112. The spring action clip 106 may be bent backwards and forwards about the fold line 116 to provide the desired flexibility for fitting the shingles. FIGS. 4 and 5 reflect an embodiment of the invention in which the spring clip 106 is a curved feature that forms an arc to cover the edge of a shingle fitted into a curved receptacle area 117 that is sized to receive the edge of a roofing shingle. In this regard, the curved shape of the clip provides a more aerodynamic profile at the edge of the roof, and also adds to the ease of handling of the clip for installation. In addition in this embodiment and in the other embodiments of the invention, the use of nails at the shingle edge may in some instances be completely eliminated because of the more secure, claw-like grip formed by the spring-action clip.
[0022] In the perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the drip edge is installed at the eaves along the edge of the roof peak 220 to provide water runoff away from the side of the building below. Preferably, the drip edge 113 is of a material and coloration that makes it unobtrusive when viewed from a distance. However it may be desirable in some roof designs for the drip edge to have a decorative finish or appearance. According to FIG. 2, a bi-paneled drip edge is installed at the roof peak and centered over the seam between the roofing boards that form the highest elevation of the peak 220. The panels 112a (shown in FIG. 1) and 112b are then positioned over the peak and stretched apart or contracted as needed to exactly fit over the peak. Shingles 300 are fastened over the starter strip flange. When installed as mono-panels, as shown in FIG. 3, the drip edges may also be used at locations other than the roof peak, for example on one more vulnerable exposed areas of the roof eaves, to deflect runoff water. Single devices may also be installed adjacently along a length of the roof eave. Such devices may be desirable at particularly sensitive areas, for example above window frames, where water entry may occur during windstorms or heavy rainfall.
[0023] In FIG. 3 the clip 106 is shaped as an angled, approximately rectangular U-shaped element that defines a receptacle area 114 sized to receive the edge of a shingle. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a single drip edge starter strip device that differs from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that spring action clip 106A is curved to form an arc which defines the receptacle area 117. The area 117 may be enlarged or decreased by the tensioned opening and retraction of the clip to receive the edge of a shingle installed atop the starter strip flange 112. As shown in FIG. 5, the clip 106A is tensioned open to expand the receptacle area 117 into which the shingle edge is inserted. In the untensioned relaxed position, the clip closes to reduce the height of the area 117. When the shingle is inserted, the retraction secures the edge of the shingles. The curvature of the clip provides a more aerodynamic profile that allows water to flow more easily from the shingle over the clip and down the drip edge. The curved shape also lessens the effect of wind shear along the roof surface. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the clip 106B is folded at fold lines 123, 124 to form an angled clip instead of one curved as an arc, to form receptacle area 118 for receiving the edge of a shingle. The fold line 124 further defines a grip edge 120 by which means the clip 106B may be opened and held open by the installer as the edge of a roofing shingle is inserted. The starter strip flange 112 is defined by two opposed side edges 121, 122 that define the width of the starter strip flange. The flange may be extraordinarily wide, preferably 6 inches or more, to receive a substantial width of the planar portion of a shingle as is used in the first row. Front edge 125 of the extended starter strip flange and the perpendicular surface of the drip edge 113 defines the length of the starter strip flange 112. The first row of shingles is laid along the width of the starter strip flange, and consecutive rows are applied in overlapping fashion until the entire surface of the roof underlayment is covered with shingles. Typically, shingles are laid in overlapping rows. As the quality and strength of roofing glues has increased, the amount of glue deposited on the edge of an underlying shingle and to which an overlying shingle is affixed can be substantial. In order for the shingle to be properly attached, there is a bending of the overlying shingle that occurs to attach to the glue layer and also to the roofing underlayment. As a result, a gap is formed between the shingles laid along the profile of the roof edge. These gaps are areas of weakness where the wind penetrates, even at modest speeds. Accordingly, even at relatively low wind speeds, the shingles at the edge are lifted up and can be blown off. In conventional roof construction, there is provided a starter strip, usually with the kit in which shingles are sold, that functions as an attachment means for the first row of shingles, and the shingles may be attached to this strip. This starter strip usually includes a glue layer for holding the edge row of shingles. However, according to the inventive concept, the glue-based starter strip is not necessary because of the clip feature that holds the shingles in place at their edges. As shown in FIG. 7, wind engages the edge of the roof eave along direction A, and thus the edge of the shingle. Because the invention also covers the edges of the shingles at the edge of a roof eave, the gaps formed beneath overlapping shingles, which are areas of weakness susceptible to wind penetration, are covered and protected. In addition, the starter strip flange described herein is integrally formed and contiguous with the drip edge such that it can be used as a unitary device. By the term unitary it is intended that the device is formed as a single piece without possibility of separation; however it should be noted that assembly from discrete parts is also within the scope of this invention. The roofer is therefore relieved of procuring and separately installing multiple devices to achieve water runoff and to provide a starting underlayment for the rows of roof shingles. A stronger roof installation that is not susceptible to wind damage by modest winds is created. The spring clip feature also eliminates the need for any glue on the starter strip feature of the present invention as it holds the entire thickness of the shingle edge securely when installed.
[0024] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a single-flange drip edge starter strip is installed over the fascia 210 of an eave, the drip edge 113 being substantially vertical in alignment with the fascia. The drip edge 119 is disposed at an oblique, outward angle in relation to the drip edge 113 to provide a flow of water down the drip edge and outward away from the drip edge lip. The single flange 112 overlays a roofing underlayment 200. Shingles 300 are installed on top of the flange 112 and held in place by the spring action 106. The drip edge starter strip may be installed using roofing nails or screws along the flange and/or the drip edge. Adhesive strips may also be used to secure the device to the fascia and to the roof underlayment layers. Multiple devices can be installed side by side to cover a longer length of the roof eave.
[0025] The drip edges of the invention are desirably formed from a substantially impermeable or impervious material such as metal, composite or polymer material, which is rigid yet at the same time possesses some flexibility to allow for operation of the hinges and the spring action closures. Preferably the devices, especially those at the roof peak installations are designed to match or approximate the color of the roof shingles to blend in appearance and not create a visual interruption at the roof line.
[0026] The foregoing description of specific embodiments is not intended to be limiting on the scope of this disclosure, but rather to be illustrative of the broad concepts embodied by this invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention contemplates the various embodiments of the invention herein described as well as equivalents thereof. Those or ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the scope of this invention should be measured by the attached claims as well as by the embodiments herein described.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0027] The devices of the invention have applicability in the field of building construction, in particular in the field of roof erection, repair and replacement. In its various embodiments, the device may be used as moisture barrier materials and in methods of abating undesirable moisture buildup and facilitating runoff from the roofs of buildings, especially residential buildings.
