Perforated eave trim and roof ventilation system

Abstract

A perforated eave trim and system for roofs is described. New shingles are typically installed on wooden strapping attached to an old or existing roof. The cavity between the old roof and the shingles is prone to build up of moisture if the cavity is inadequately ventilated. Moisture build up can lead to mold, ice buildup and damage to the roof and strapping. The perforated eave trim, and embodiments thereof disclosed herein, in conjunction with conventional roof vents provides an improved system for venting roofs.

Claims

1. A perforated eave trim for use on building having a vertical exterior surface and an included double layer roof structure having a ridge, and inner and outer surfaces, said perforated eave trim comprising: an elongated planar upper panel configured for disposition on an eave trim supporting member positioned at a lower edge of the roof structure; an elongated planar middle panel having a series of perforations disposed along its length and connected to said elongated planar upper panel by a first angled bend; an elongated angled middle panel having a series of perforations disposed along its length and connected to said elongated planar middle panel by a second angled bend, said elongated planar middle panelg positioned between said elongated planar upper panel and said elongated angled middle panel; and an elongated planar lower panel structured for abutable attachment to the vertical exterior surface of the building, said elongated planar lower panel connected to said elongated angled middle panel by a third angled bend, said elongated angled middle panel being positioned between said elongated planar lower panel and said elongated planar middle panel, wherein said perforated eave trim provides for air circulation between the inner and outer surfaces of the double layer roof structure.

2. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the upper panel, middle panel and lower panel are a one-piece unitary structure.

3. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the lower panel has a series of perforations disposed along its length.

4. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the eave trim supporting member is attached to an outer edge of the outer surface of the double layer roof structure.

5. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein said disposition on the eave trim supporting member consists of a series of holes drilled in the upper panel sized to accommodate screws.

6. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the first angled bend in approximately 90 degrees.

7. The perforated eave trim of claim 6, wherein the second angled bend and the third angled bend are i-s selected such that the lower panel forms said abutable attachment to the vertical exterior surface of the building.

8. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the second angled bend and third angled bend are selected such that the lower panel forms said abutable attachment to the vertical exterior surface of the building.

9. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is shingles.

10. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is an existing roof.

11. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein the perforations are selected from the group comprising slits, slots, holes and louvered slits.

12. The perforated eave trim of claim 1, wherein a ventilation means is mounted in close approximation to the ridge on the outer surface of the roof, said vent being in communication with the eave trim.

13. The perforated eave trim of claim 12, wherein the ventilation means is selected from box vent, wind vent, ridge vent, off ridge vent, power vent, cupola vent, soffit vent, power vent and static vent.

14. A roof ventilation system for use on building having a vertical exterior surface and an included double layer roof structure having a ridge, said double layer roof structure having a ridge, an outer surface, an inner and a cavity between the surfaces, said system comprising: a ventilation means situated in close approximation to the ridge on the outer surface of the roof; and a perforated eave trim, said eave trim including an elongated planar upper panel configured for disposition on a supporting member of the outer surface of the inclined double layered roof structure, an elongated planar middle panel having a series of perforations disposed along its length and connected to said elongated planar upper panel by a first angled bend, an elongated angled middle panel having a series of perforations disposed along its length and connected to said elongated planar middle panel by a second angled bend, said elongated planar middle panel being positioned between said elongated planar upper panel and said elongated angled middle panel, and an elongated planar lower panel structured for abutable attachment to the vertical exterior surface, said elongated planar lower panel connected to said elongated angled middle panel by a third angled bend, said elongated angled middle panel being positioned between said elongated planar lower panel and said elongated planar middle panel, wherein said perforated eave trim, in cooperation with the ventilation means, provides for air circulation in the cavity between the inner and outer surfaces of the roof structure and the ventilation means.

15. The perforated eave trim of claim 14, wherein the outer surface is shingles.

16. The perforated eave trim of claim 14, wherein the inner surface is an existing roof.

17. The perforated eave trim of claim 14, wherein the ventilation means is selected from box vent, wind vent, ridge vent, off ridge vent, power vent, cupola vent, soffit vent, power vent and static vent.

18. The perforated eave trim of claim 14, wherein the lower panel has a series of perforations disposed along its length.

19. The perforated eave trim of claim 14, wherein the perforations are selected from the group comprising slits, slots, holes and louvered slits.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective, and corresponding cross sectional, view of an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective, and corresponding cross sectional, view of an additional embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a typical installation of a perforated eave trim on a roof in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The invention relates to a perforated eave trim and system for venting roofs to create airflow from the edge of the roof to the peak. More specifically to a perforated eave trim that promotes airflow throughout the roof preventing ice buildup and damage to the roof and eaves.

(6) In one embodiment, wood strapping is attached to an existing roof and shingles are attached to the wood strapping. The space formed around the wood strapping, between existing roof and the shingles, and is vented between the perforated eave trim and a roof mounted ventilation means to establish airflow between the double layer roof structure. The perforated eave trim is installed along the lower edge of the roof structure, spanning the gap between the existing roof and the shingles. Air is then taken in through the perforated portion of the eave trim and rises inside, between the two layers of the double layer roof structure, then expelled at the peak through a roof vent. The perforated eave trim therefore promotes airflow throughout the roof preventing ice buildup and damage to the roof and eaves.

(7) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 100. The perforated eave trim is generally indicated at 102. The elongated planar upper panel 104 is connected to the elongated perforated planar middle panel 106 by the first angled bend 112. The elongated perforated planar middle panel 106 is connected to the elongated angled middle panel 108 by the second angled bend 114. The elongated angled middle panel 108 is connected to the elongated planar lower panel 110 by the third angled bend 116. While the middle panel 108 is shown to be connected to the lower panel 110, such is illustrative and not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, the perforated eave trim 102 does not include a lower panel 110.

(8) Cross section A-A illustrates approximate angles of the bends. For example, the first angled bend 112 forms an approximate angle of 90 degrees between elongated planar upper panel 104 and elongated perforated planar middle panel 106. The second angled bend 114 and third angled bend 116 are correspondingly selected such that when elongated planar upper panel 104 is attached to wooden strapping on the roof, the elongated planar lower panel 110 is essentially parallel to the vertical side of the building.

(9) In this particular embodiment, the elongated angled middle panel 108 may optionally be perforated.

(10) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 200. The perforated eave trim is generally indicated at 202. The elongated planar upper panel 104 is connected to the elongated perforated planar middle panel 106 by the first angled bend 112. The elongated perforated planar middle panel 106 is connected to the elongated contoured lower panel 204 by the second angled bend 114.

(11) Cross section A-A illustrates approximate angles of the bends. For example, the first angled bend 112 forms an approximate angle of 90 degrees between elongated planar upper panel 104 and elongated perforated planar middle panel 106. The second angled bend 114 is selected such that when elongated planar upper panel 104 is attached to wooden strapping on the roof, the lower edge of the elongated contoured lower panel 204 is essentially parallel to the vertical side of the building.

(12) In this particular embodiment, the elongated contoured lower panel 204 may optionally be perforated.

(13) FIG. 3 illustrates a typical installation of an eave trim on a roof 300. Vertical wooden strapping members 302 and horizontal wooden strapping members 304 are applied to an existing roof structure. An eave trim attachment member 306 is secured to the lower edge of roof 312. The elongated planar upper panel 104 of the perforated eave trim 102 is then attached to the lower edge of roof 312. The elongated planar lower panel 110 is then secured to a vertical wall of the building.

(14) Shingles can then be installed on the roof 300, securing them in place on the vertical wooden strapping members 302, the horizontal wooden strapping members 304, and the elongated planar upper panel 104. The shingles are sealed along the roof ridge 310 and the 314 and second gable end 316. A roof vent 308 is installed on the roof 300.

(15) The elongated perforated planar middle panel 106 allows air to circulate beneath the existing roof and the shingles and exit the roof cavity via the roof vent 308.

(16) The invention described herein, and illustrated by reference to the various embodiments, encompasses numerous different combinations and orientations of planar members that are sized to fit along the lower eave edge of a roof on buildings having a vertical wall and an inclined double layer roof structure.

(17) The elongated planar upper panel 104 is designed to attach the perforated eave trim 102 to the lower edge of roof 312, typically by screws driven through holes drilled at appropriate places in the elongated planar upper panel 104. The shingles then being attached to the elongated planar upper panel 104 of the perforated eave trim 102 after it has been attached to the lower edge of roof 312. This arrangement provides a waterproof seal between the shingles and the elongated planar upper panel 104.

(18) The first angled bend 112, the second angled bend 114 and the third angled bend 116 can be configured such that when the elongated planar upper panel 104 is affixed to the lower edge of roof 312, the elongated planar lower panel 110 is positioned such that it can be attached to a vertical exterior surface of a building, or siding or similar covering. The means of attachment of the elongated planar lower panel 110 to the vertical exterior surface is typically by screws driven through holes drilled at appropriate places in the elongated planar lower panel 110.

(19) The eave trim can be configured to have perforations in one or more of the planar panels. The perforations can be horizontal or vertical, and the apertures can include, but are not limited to; slits, slots, holes, and louvered slits.

(20) It is contemplated that any of the embodiments of the described perforated eave trim 102 can be configured with any conventional roof vent 308, including but not limited to vents selected from box, wind, ridge, off ridge, power, cupola, soffit, power and static.

(21) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.