Eave trim system

A precast concrete roof trim system comprising linear edge segments installed in the side edges of a roof and corner segments installed on the corners of the roof. The corner segments each have free ends engaging the corresponding ends of a spaced pair of the edge segments. Each edge and corner segment has a roof engaging portion with a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the roof when the segment is in a first position, and the second surface, which is transverse to the first surface, engages the roof when the segment is in a second position. Each segment has an extension which overhangs the roof when the segment is in the first position and extends upwardly from the roof when the segment is in the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a precast roof trim system and in particular, to 
such a roof trim system which has two installation positions, helps 
control roof drainage, provides screens for roof mounted equipment and 
provides railings on roofs used as outdoor patios. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Precast concrete buildings commonly have roofs with a flat, smooth outer 
surface. Such buildings may be advantageously constructed of waffle-shaped 
panels as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,286 and application Ser. No. 
08/247,060 which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The roofs of 
such buildings present several problems and disadvantages. 
For instance, controlling roof drainage is difficult. Roof-mounted 
equipment such as air conditioner condenser units and clotheslines are in 
clear view and cannot be hidden. The roofs become safety hazards for those 
who desire to use the convenient flat surface as an outdoor patio or 
otherwise. Additionally, such roofs with no trim are not aesthetically 
pleasing. Thus, a need exists in the construction industry for a precast 
concrete roof trim system to be used with precast structural panels. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a precast roof 
trim system including a plurality of linear edge segments installed on the 
side edges of the roof and specially configured to have a first and second 
installation position. 
Another primary object of the invention is to provide a precast roof trim 
system further comprising a plurality of corner segments, each of which 
spans the free ends of a spaced pair of edge segments at the roof corners 
and is specially configured to have a first and second installation 
position. 
It is also an important object to provide such a system in which the first 
or second installation position may be selected in accordance with the 
trim effect desired, i.e., an overhang or an upwardly projecting roof 
extension. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a roof trim system which 
controls roof drainage. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a roof trim system which 
screens roof mounted equipment. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a roof trim system that 
increases the safety of roofs by providing a railing therefor. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a roof trim system which is 
inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a roof trim system 
which offers a variety of surface texture options as well as a variety of 
roof styles. 
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a precast 
concrete roof trim system, comprising a plurality of linear edge segments 
installed on the side edges of a roof and a plurality of corner segments 
installed on the corners of the roof. Each of the corner segments has free 
ends which engage corresponding ends of a spaced pair of the edge 
segments. Both the linear edge segments and the corner segments have a 
first and second installation positions and include a roof engaging 
portion and an extension integral with the roof engaging portion. The roof 
engaging portion of each segment has a first surface and a second surface. 
The first surface engages the roof when the segment is in its first 
position, and the second surface, which is transverse to the first 
surface, engages the roof when the segment is in its second position. The 
extension overhangs the roof when its associated segment is in the first 
position, and it extends upwardly from the roof when its associated 
segment is in the second position. 
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in 
connection with the annexed drawings, discloses the preferred embodiment 
of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, building 10 is 
constructed of precast structural panels 12 and precast roof trim system 
14. In accordance with the present invention, roof trim system 14 is 
installed on panels 12 where they form a substantially flat and smooth 
roof 16. 
Roof trim system 14 includes linear edge segments 28 and corner segments 
30. Linear edge segments 28 are installed along the side edges of roof 16, 
and corner segments 30 are installed at the corners of roof 16 and extend 
a short distance along its side edges as seen in FIG. 1. Corner segments 
30 have free ends 32 which engage and abut free ends 34 of a spaced pair 
of edge segments 28. Likewise, free ends 34 of edge segments 28 also 
engage free ends 32 of a spaced pair of corner segments 30. 
Segments 28 and 30 can be installed in either a first position, as seen in 
FIG. 3, or a second position, as seen in FIG. 4. When segments 28 and 30 
are in the FIG. 3 position, they form a mansard style overhang roof, and 
when in the FIG. 4 position, they form a stand-up style parapet roof. In 
either position, at least a portion of segments 28 and 30 extends upwardly 
from roof 16 forming a railing around the roof's perimeter. Furthermore, 
segments 28 and 30 thereby screen roof mounted equipment. 
Segments 28 and 30 include a triangular roof engaging portion 44 and an 
extension 46. Portion 44 and extension 46 are integrally and unitarily 
molded from reinforced concrete to form segments 28 and 30. Reinforcing 
bar 42 and wire mesh 43, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, extend through 
segments 28 and 30 to provide additional strength thereto. Roof engaging 
portion 44 has a first surface 48 and a second surface 50. Second surface 
50 extends transversely of first surface 48, so that surfaces 48 and 50 
meet at an inner corner to form a substantially 90 degree angle. First 
surface 48 engages the exterior surface of roof 16 when segment 28 or 30 
is in the FIG. 3 position. Second surface 50 engages the exterior surface 
of roof 16 when segment 28 or 30 is in the FIG. 4 position. In either the 
FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 position, the vertical surface 50 or 48 prevents water 
from flowing in an uncontrolled manner over the edge of the roof 16. This 
permits the use of downspouts or outspouts (not shown) to drain water from 
the roof 16 as desired. 
Roof engaging portion 44 also preferably includes a third surface 52 which 
completes the triangular configuration and extends angularly between the 
outer ends of first and second surfaces 48 and 50. 
Extension 46 angularly overhangs the side edge of roof 16 when its 
associated segment 28 or 30 is in the FIG. 3 position. Extension 46 
extends angularly upwardly from roof 16 when its associated segment 28 or 
30 is in the FIG. 4 position. Extension 46 has a rectangular cross section 
and includes outer surface 60 and inner surface 62. In either position, 
outer surface 60 faces away from building 10, and inner surface 62 faces 
toward building 10. Extension 46 is also coplanar with third surface 52 
such that outer surface 60 of extension 46 forms a continuous extension of 
third surface 52. A variety of surface texture options can be added to 
third surface 52 of segments 28 and 30 and outer surface 60 of extension 
46, such as Spanish clay tile, as shown in FIG. 3, or wood shake shingle. 
These textures make roof trim system 14 more aesthetically pleasing. 
Anchor members or fasteners 66 are preferably comprised of bolts, as seen 
in FIGS. 3 and 4. Fasteners 66 are inserted through roof 16 and into roof 
engaging portion 44. If a bolt such as 68 fastening roof 16 and a side 
panel 12 together must be avoided, fastener 66 can be inserted into roof 
engaging portion 44 at an angle, as seen in FIG. 3. Otherwise, fastener 66 
is inserted perpendicularly through roof 16 into roof engaging portion 44, 
as seen in FIG. 4. Fasteners 66 thereby rigidly secure segments 28 and 30 
to roof 16. 
Only the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been chosen to 
illustrate the invention, however, it will be understood by those skilled 
in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein 
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.