Roof ridge cover

Abstract

Improvements in a roof ridge cover formed to give the appearance of multiple shingles. The roof ridge cover is fabricated with bend radius to ensure that the elongated base material is not stretched beyond the yield point of the material where it can rupture or split. The edges wrap around existing roof tiles to cover any damaged tiles and provide sufficient clearance of adjacent or abutting ridge covers. The cover is stone coated to provide similar appearance to the roof surface. The stone coatings provide surface protection, wear resistance and provide a gripping surface for installers or others that may walk on the roof surface. Optional venting material may be used under the cover to allow air to vent from the attic thereby allowing the attic to breath, but the vent must also be sufficiently dense enough to prevent insects and bugs from passing through the vent material.

Claims

1. A roof ridge cover comprising: an elongated base formed to give an appearance of multiple ridge cover shingles, said elongated base having an outer surface and an under surface; said elongated base formed in an inverted V shape having an angle that approximate an angle provided by opposing sides at a ridge of an existing roof, said elongated base shaped to provide the appearance of multiple shingles with at least two generally planar parallel shingle surfaces and a step surface existing between each pair of said at least two generally planar parallel shingle surfaces on both sides of said inverted V; said outer surface providing a cosmetic surface, and said under surface having at least two separate integral tabs formed from the elongated base form that are adapted for contact with opposing sloped sides of said ridge of said roof; said elongated base comprising at least two rounded edges with at least one first rounded edge being a leading edge and at least one second rounded edge being a trailing edge; said at least two separate integral tabs formed from opposing elongated sides of said elongated base and extending from each side of said opposing elongated sides to create an air gap between said existing roof and said under surface of said elongated base, said separate integral tabs having an integral nailing tab whereby said integral nailing tab elevates said outer surface and said integral nailing tab is nailed directly onto said existing roof; said elongated base further comprising a coating, said coating providing the appearance of multiple ridge cover shingles, and said at least one second rounded edge configured so that, when said roof ridge cover is installed, said at least one second rounded edge is adapted to cover a trailing edge of a previously installed roof ridge cover that goes over a third roof ridge cover.

2. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said coating is a stone coating on said outer surface.

3. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said at least two rounded corners are formed with a radius from between 0.12 and 1.0 inch radius.

4. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 further including at least one vent placed on said under surface.

5. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said at least two tabs provide a space for a vent material.

6. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said elongated base comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, tin, brass and copper.

7. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein each of the planar parallel shingle surfaces in said elongated base is provided to appear as a single shingle.

8. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein the appearance of multiple shingles is formed in a single forming process.

9. The roof ridge cover according to claim 8, wherein the forming of each essentially planar parallel shingle surface and each said step surface are formed in progressive single forming processes.

10. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said elongated base is galvanized.

11. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein the step surface between the at least two generally planar parallel shingle surfaces is spaced every 7 to 12 inches.

12. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said elongated base has a width of between 12 inches and 14.5 inches.

13. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a nontoxic, non-flammable, re-emulsifying bonding agent.

14. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a stone coating including sand or pea gravel.

15. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein there are at least four generally planar parallel shingle surfaces and at least three separate step surfaces.

16. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein said leading edge of said elongated base is turned down and said trailing edge of said elongated base is turned up.

17. The roof ridge cover according to claim 1 wherein the elongated base includes at least three step surfaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a roof ridge cover.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the roof ridge cover.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a roof ridge cover positioned over a roof.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the construction of the roof ridge cover.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a front view of the roof ridge cover with vent material installed.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a back view of the roof ridge cover with vent material installed.

(7) FIG. 7 shows an inside perspective view of the roof ridge cover with vent material installed.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a section of roof ridge cover with tabs for securing the roof ridge cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a roof ridge cover and FIG. 2 shows a side view of the roof ridge cover 10. The roof ridge cover 10 is fabricated to simulate the appearance of multiple ridge shingles. The steps between shingles is normally about 8 inches, but typically can vary between seven (7) and twelve (12) inches. The preferred embodiment shown represents steps of six levels 20-25 of ridge tiles. While six levels are shown it should be understood that as few as two to many more than six levels are contemplated in accord with the teaching herein. In the embodiment shown, six levels are shown because it best accommodates a four foot long blank and allows easy handling by an installer. If the end of the roof ridge cover 10 extends beyond the end of a roof, the roof ridge cover 10 can be trimmed using common roofing tools.

(10) The angle 30 between the two sloped sides of the roof ridge cover 10 is configured to match the angle of a selected roof peak ridge. The angle is between 30 degrees and 120 degrees, but can be other angles. It is also contemplated that the cover is configurable for installation on hips, gables and rakes as well as 30 degree to 90 degree L shapes. The fabrication process for a roof ridge cover allows an installer to adjust this angle by nailing down the roof ridge cover 10 or manually distorting the roof ridge cover 10 to fit a complementary angle provided by an existing roof ridge. The coverage of multiple pre-existing roof tiles or shingles minimizes areas where water intrusion can take place. The bends of the roof ridge cover 10 shown as rounds 31 and fillets 32 are designed to simulate the appearance of the underlying tiles and also prevent ripping the material that might cause holes. In the preferred embodiment the rounds 31 and fillets 32 are between 0.12 inch radius and 1.0 inch radius. In addition to the bends that clear the underlying shingles the leading edge 34 and the trailing edge 33 are radiused to wrap around the front and back edges to the roof ridge cover 10. Adjacent roof ridge cover 10 ends 33 and 34 engage upon the turned up edges 33 or turned down edges 34 to make a tight seal. The bottom edge 35 can be configured in a straight embodiment or can further be rounded to wrap around existing ridge tiles to prevent leakage. The dimension(s) of the radiused edges are maintained to prevent damage to flat roof tiles and reduce the elevation of the roof ridge cover 10 above the surrounding roof. Installation of the roof ridge cover 10 on a roof is shown in FIG. 3.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a roof ridge cover 10 positioned over a roof. The roof of a house 40 is typically constructed with a peak where the two sloped sides of the roof 41 join. The ridge of the roof is most susceptible to leaks because it often receives the greatest exposure to the elements, e.g., the sun, wind and rain. The roof ridge cover 10 can be installed in newly installed roofs having newly installed shingles, or can be installed over the top of pre-existing roof ridge shingles 42. When the roof ridge cover 10 is installed on a pre-existing roof ridge shingle 42, the under surface 36 contacts the opposing sloped sides of the pre-existing roof shingle 42, the under surface 36 contacts the opposing sloped sides of the pre-existing roof shingles 42. The leading edge 34 wraps over and on the sides 35 of the pre-existing roof ridge single 42 leading edge 44 and side(s) 45. The roof ridge cover 10, has a second rounded edge 33 that wraps around at least partially at least one pre-existing roof ridge shingle 42/43 of the existing roof. When the roof ridge cover 10 is installed on the ridge, the leading edge 34 is installed over the outer edge of the ridge to enable water to drop over the edge of the roof. The trailing or upturned edge 33 will be covered by the next roof ridge cover 10. Upon installation of the roof ridge cover 10 the elongated sides of the roof ridge cover 10 are nailed down to prevent the roof ridge cover 10 from being lifted by winds and to retain underlying shingles.

(12) FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a method for a manufacture of an embodiment for the roof ridge cover. The roof ridge cover is constructed starting a base material, namely base metal 50. In the preferred embodiment the base metal 50 is steel, but other materials, particularly including, but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, copper or tin may be utilized. The base metal 50 is then formed to simulate shingles. The forming process can take place in a progressive arrangement where each tile structure, elevation or relief is formed individually or collectively. It is also contemplated that the base metal 50 is first bent along its length to form the inverted V ridge and then in a secondary or subsequent operation(s) then each tile structure, elevation or relief is formed individually or collectively. While the figures show the cover as an inverted V it is also contemplated that the cover may be configures having a shape adapted for installation on hips, gables and rakes as well as 90 degree L shapes. A bonding agent 51 may then be applied to the base metal 50 to support a top stone 52 coat that matches the color, density and texture of the roof shingles on the roof of a house or structure. The materials used in the stone coating are typically between the size of sand to pea gravel depending upon the desired appearance and or the appearance of an existing roof material. The bonding agent is typically a nontoxic, non-flammable, re-emulsifying bonding agent that provides a chemical bond between the base material 50 and the top stone(s) 52. A surface treatment of galvanizing 53 or other corrosion prevention can be placed on the base metal 50 prior to applying the top treatments or after the top treatments based upon the manufacturing process. The roof ridge cover is not affected by climate nor has and does not have any climate restrictions for installation.

(13) FIG. 5 shows a front view of the roof ridge cover 10 with vent material 60 installed. FIG. 6 shows a back view of the roof ridge cover 10 with vent material 60 installed. FIG. 7 shows an inside perspective view of the roof ridge cover with vent material 60 installed. The roof ridge cover 10 can be constructed with vent material 60. The vent material 60 may be glued, or bonded to the roof ridge cover 10. Or, vent material 60 may simply be placed under the roof ridge cover 10 upon installation of the roof ridge cover 10. As depicted in FIG. 7, the vent material 60 is placed at the front edge of the leading edge 34 of the roof ridge cover 10, while the vent material 60 is set back from the trailing edge 33 to prevent stacking of the vent material 60. The vent material 60 may be installed in elongated strips to minimize interference with other roof features that can exist under the roof ridge cover 10. The density of the vent material 60 allows for the attic to breathe and vent air without allowing bugs and insects to enter the attic. As depicted in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the outer edges 35 of the roof ridge cover 10 are slightly curved.

(14) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a section of roof ridge cover 10 with tabs for securing the roof ridge cover 10. The front edge 34 is shown bent over to cover an existing shingle or a previously installed roof ridge cover. The rounds 31 and fillets 32 are shown and may be provided at an interval of approximately 8 inches. Nailing tabs 70 are shown with holes 71 or indentations where nails can be placed through the flanges 70. An air gap 72 is constructed into the roof ridge cover 10 to allow for the passage of air from under the roof. When the tabs 70 are included in the roof ridge cover 10 the blank size must be expanded from 12 inches to approximately 14.5 inches.

(15) Thus, specific embodiments of a roof ridge cover have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted as defined by the scope and coverage of the appended claims, and their legal equivalents.