Abstract:
A system for protecting walls/roofs from water uses a detachable flashing channel and a step flashing unit. The detachable flashing unit is a J shape structure which facilitates the protection of walls from rain water and the step flashing unit is a L shape structure also facilitating the protection of roofs from rain water.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a flashing system for protecting walls/roofs from water. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flashing system for protecting walls/roofs from water, including a channel and step flashing unit. 
       2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
       [0006]    Those involved in construction regularly deal with interfaces between adjacent structures. Those adjacent structures may be fabricated of the same or dissimilar materials. Particularly for external surfaces, those interfaces must be sealed to protect against environmental conditions. Examples of such interfaces include, but are not limited to, chimney-to-roofing interfaces and roofing-to-fascia interfaces, to name just two examples. Of course, there are many other structural interfaces that must be enclosed in some manner. The problem of how to seal and make waterproof or water resistant vertical and horizontal building surfaces is as old as the building trades. In its most rudimentary fashions, this problem was solved by the blending and sealing of the vertical and horizontal surfaces with sheet metal such as sheet copper, aluminum or lead. The sealing of the sheet metal component to the respective surfaces was effected with a mastic such as tar. This method of sealing building surfaces is still commonly used. 
         [0007]    Presently, many buildings have multiple roof levels wherein the end of one of the roof decks terminates and abuts against a side wall of the building. In building the roofing system for such a configuration, a section of flashing runs along the entire length of the roof deck side wall interface. The purpose of the flashing, which is an angled sheet member of monolithic construction, is to help seal the juncture of the roofing deck with that of the side wall in order to prevent water from entering the building at this juncture. 
         [0008]    In the past few decades, a new form of building renewal has come into widespread use, namely the trade of applying interlocking siding to the vertical surfaces of buildings in order to give these surfaces a new appearance. In this regard, the application of interlocking panels of vinyl and aluminum siding to older structures has become quite common. Since this siding is often applied to older structures, a problem has arisen as to how to flash the vertical siding to the horizontal roofing surfaces. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the roofing on the structure is likewise often replaced at intervals of fifteen to twenty-five years. With a life expectancy of a structure of one hundred years, multiple applications of roofing are possible. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, as multiple layers of roofing are applied, the thickness and the weight of the roofing increases. Because of the weight increase, building codes often only permit three re-roofings to occur before all the roofing must be removed prior to the application of new roofing. The old roofing must be removed because of its weight in order to prevent structural failure of the building. That is, building codes often permit, for example, a homeowner to have his house re-roofed three times before he must remove all roofing material. In a prior type of system for protecting walls/roofs from water either the installation process is too complex or the system for protecting walls/roofs from water involves only one member. In accordance with this invention, when a new roof is applied to a structure which has been previously sided with vinyl or aluminum siding, the roofer can remove the flashing cover and replace it with a flashing cover of a different depth so as to fill in any gaps which are created as a result of the removal of multiple layers of old roofing. Further, the new roof can be easily reflashed. 
         [0010]    The prior art has addressed many forms of roof flashing as is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,511 assigned to Kenergy Enterprises Limited Partnership which discloses a plastic skylight having a central dome and a pair of standing seam edges suitable for installation in metal standing seam roofs and shingled roofs without a curb. The standing seam edges are joined to adjacent metal standing seams with the same covered by battens. The other edges of the skylight form flat flanges overlapping adjacent metal panels. When used on a shingled roof, step flashings and anchor clips are fastened to the plastic standing seams. The skylights may be clustered to form sunroofs. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,287 assigned to The Bilco Company shows a flashing for sealing a waterproof roofing membrane to a vertical wall such as a parapet wall around the roof, including an elongated mounting flange for connection to the wall, a top flange and wall flange which define a filler channel with the vertical wall. An elongated elastromeric filler piece is adapted to fit closely within the filler channel with an overlapped portion of the roofing membrane for a temporary adjustable hold on the roofing membrane. A set of finger like tabs preferably punched out of the wall flange may be bent into the filler channel beneath the membrane and filler piece to hold it securely therein. Alternative embodiments for use with pre-existing walls and for attachment to a brick and mortar wall at the time of construction are shown, as are corner pieces for sealing inside and outside corners. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,416 assigned to Plastic Components, Inc. shows an improved flashing system for exterior doors and windows. The system comprises a header, right and left hand vertical drainage channels and right and left hand corner sections which join the header to the vertical channels on either side of the door or window. The header is designed to provide normal protection for the top of the door or window from water infiltration and also provides at the rear thereof a dam and weep holes for removal of any rainwater which may infiltrate between the flashing and applied siding. The system design provides a continuous channel to conduct any infiltrating water from the header via the corner sections to the vertical channels wherefrom it drains downward and is harmlessly removed at the base of the window or door. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,522 issued to Michael Vagedes shows a channel for lapped siding includes an elongated nailing strip and an abutment strip with an upper cover strip. This provides a generally C-shaped cross-section. Inside the channel is a rectangular tab that extends at an angle away from the nailing strip up to the cover strip. The channel is nailed to a building. Lapped siding is also nailed to the building with edges of the siding positioned in the channel. The edge of the siding is slit horizontally to allow the tab to intersect the edge of the siding. Any water that gets into the channel will run along this tab away from the building wall to an exterior surface of the siding. This keeps the water from flowing behind the siding. 
         [0014]    U.S. Patent Application No. US 20040088927 published by Michael Morphet shows a flashing system, a soaker channel has a drainage groove and has an upstanding wall, which is adapted to be overlaid by a lower edge of a flashing element. A lower wall of the drainage groove slopes downwardly, away from the upstanding wall, toward another upstanding wall, which is spaced from the upstanding wall adapted to be overlaid by a lower edge of a flashing element and which has a returned limb closing off the soaker channel partially. The soaker channel has a rib, which projects downwardly from the lower wall of the drainage channel, near the upstanding wall adapted to be overlaid by a lower edge of a flashing element. 
         [0015]    U.S. Patent Application No. US 20050086873 published by Manuel Mares shows a flanged counter flashing unit, flashing system and method is described for weather proofing the juncture of a brick wall overlying a vertical parapet wall and the edge of a sloped roof. The one-piece counter flashing unit of the flashing system has a vertical slit into which is securely fitted the low upstanding side of a J-Channel flashing positioned at the juncture and the vertical leaf member of an L-shaped roof flashing that is flush with the outer face of the upstanding low side of the J-Channel flashing, including a flange section of the counter flashing unit that extends laterally from the top edge of the counter flashing apron and partially over the J-Channel and an apron adapted for overlying the vertical leaf member of the L-shaped flashing. The J-Channel flashing, L-shaped flashing and flanged counter flashing are included in the flashing system of the present invention. According to the method of the present invention, when the flashing system is positioned at the juncture, the brick wall is constructed from within the J-channel so that the counter flashing flange is included in the brick wall. This method eliminates the need for a separate method step of attaching counter flashing to the brick wall at an angle to the horizontal plane of the brick wall after its construction by means of a gouge cut across the brick wall for that purpose. 
         [0016]    Further, none of this prior art suggests the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured for the efficient solution of this problem as disclosed and claimed herein. Prior devices do not provide the benefits of the present invention which achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, through no increase in the number of functioning parts, at a minimum cost and through the utilization of only readily available materials and conventional components. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A protective building flashing system comprising a detachable flashing channel made of aluminium and a metallic step flashing unit is disclosed. The detachable flashing unit includes a fastening section, a curved section and an elongated flat section connected in a manner that the curved section is capable of flashing rain water and prevents the direct contact of rain water to the walls and roofs of buildings. The step flashing unit claimed is L shaped and includes a horizontal surface and a vertical surface wherein the step flashing unit is capable of free movement below the elongated flat section of the detachable flashing channel. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for preventing the insertion of water at the intersection of a wall and roof. 
         [0019]    Each intent of the present invention provides an advantage of easy installation of the detachable flashing channel. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for easy replacement of the old step flashing unit. 
         [0021]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a system for protecting walls/roofs from water in an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the side view of a system for protecting walls/roofs from water in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the figures, and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment of the system  10  for protecting walls/roofs from water in accordance with the present invention. Turning now to  FIG. 1  there is shown a prospective view of a system  10  for protecting walls/roofs from water including a detachable flashing channel  12  attached to a wall  11  and a step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and the wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  includes a fastening section  18 , flat section  20 , curved section  22  and an elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes a plurality of holes  26  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . The elongated flat section  24  further includes a first end  28  and a second end  30 . Further the step flashing unit  16  includes a vertical surface  32  and a horizontal surface  34 . 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIG. 2  there is shown a side view of the system  10  for protecting walls/roofs, including the detachable flashing channel  12  attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and the wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  includes the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes means  36  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . In summary, the present invention generally provides a system  10  for protecting walls/roofs from water, including but no limited to the detachable flashing channel  12  attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and wall  11 . More particularly and in one preferred embodiment, the system  10  for protecting walls/roofs from water includes a J shape detachable flashing channel  12  mounted on the wall  11  and an L shape step flashing unit  16  located at an intersection of the roof  14  and wall  11 . 
         [0027]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system  10  for protecting walls/roofs from water, including the detachable flashing channel  12  attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at an intersection of the roof  14  and wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  comprises a fastening section  18 , flat section  20 , curved section  22  and an elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes a plurality of holes  26  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11  and the means for attaching  36  the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11  through the holes  26  located at the fastening section  18 . The elongated flat section  24  further includes a first end  28  and a second end  30 . Additionally, the step flashing unit  16  includes a vertical surface  32  and a horizontal surface  44 . In this embodiment of the present invention the fastening section  18  is located at the first end  28  of the elongated flat section  24  and the curved section  22  is located at the second end  30  of the elongated flat section  24 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment the present invention provides the detachable flashing channel  12  including the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes plurality of holes  26  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . The elongated flat section  24  further includes a first end  28  and a second end  30 . In this embodiment of the present invention the detachable flashing channel  12  is J shaped. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment the present invention provides the step flashing unit  16  including the vertical surface  32  and the horizontal surface  34 . In this embodiment of the present invention step flashing unit  16  is L shaped and located at the intersection of the wall  11  and the roof  14 . In another embodiment the present invention provides the detachable flashing channel  12  including the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes plurality of holes  26  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . The elongated flat section  24  further includes a first end  28  and a second end  30 . In this embodiment of the present invention the detachable flashing channel  12  is made of material selected from the group of Aluminium, Copper, Iron, Steel or combination thereof 
         [0030]    In another embodiment the present invention provides the system for protecting walls/roofs from water, including the detachable flashing channel  12  attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and the wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  including the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes plurality of holes  26  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . The elongated flat section  24  further includes a first end  28  and a second end  30 . Further the step flashing unit  16  includes a vertical surface  32  and a horizontal surface  34 . In this embodiment of the present invention the vertical surface  32  of the step flashing unit  34  is placed below the elongated flat section  10  and capable of moving freely. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment the present invention provides the system for protecting walls/roofs, including the detachable flashing channel  12  attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and the wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  including the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes means  36  for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11 . In this embodiment of the present invention the means for attaching  36  the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall is selected from the group of nails, screws or combination thereof. 
         [0032]    In one of the most preferred embodiment the present invention provides the provides the system for protecting walls/roofs from water, including the detachable flashing channel  12  made of aluminium, attached to the wall  11  and the step flashing unit  16  located at intersection of the roof  14  and the wall  11 . The detachable flashing channel  12  including the fastening section  18 , the flat section  20 , the curved section  22  and the elongated flat section  24 . The fastening section  18  further includes plurality of holes  26  each spaced at the distance of 4.0″ for attaching the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11  and the means for attaching  36  the detachable flashing channel  12  to the wall  11  through the holes  26  are nails. The elongated flat section  24  further includes the first end  28  and the second end  30 . Further the step flashing unit  16  includes a vertical surface  32  and a horizontal surface  34 . In this embodiment of the present invention the fastening section  18  is located at the first end  28  of the elongated flat section  24  and the curved section  22  is located at the second end  30  of the elongated flat section  24 . In this embodiment of the present invention the vertical surface  32  of the step flashing unit  16  is placed below the elongated flat section  24  and capable of moving freely. 
         [0033]    While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.