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RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/458,298, filed Mar. 28, 2003, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to gable roof designs of residential and commercial construction and, more particularly, to a fascia used to conceal the junction at which two rake boards meet at the peak of a gable roof. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   One popular style of roof design used both in residential and commercial construction is known as a gable roof. Gable roof designs generally resemble the shape of a triangle. Gable roofs designs can be constructed in a variety of angles or pitches, from shallow pitches to very steep pitches. Homes built with gable style roofs are typically trimmed using what is known in the art as a rake board to cover the intersection between a building&#39;s facade and its roof. Rake boards typically follow the pitch of a roof and form a junction when two rake boards meet at the peak of the gable roof. 
   When thin profile materials such as aluminum sheeting, vinyl or the like are used in the fabrications of rake boards, various means are used to minimize, or eliminate the gap formed at the junction of the rake boards. For example, caulking is commonly used to eliminate gaps. Likewise, a piece of sheet aluminum, vinyl, or the like can be custom fit on site to cover the gap. In any event, no matter which of the above-referenced techniques are used to conceal the gap, at best, they are time consuming and expensive. Additionally, because of the expansion and contraction cycles experienced by many thin profile materials, even if gaps are perfectly closed, they open with the passage of time and render an unattractive appearance. The present invention conceals this gap by use of a universal rake-ridge cap which can accommodate any roof pitch and is easily and quickly fitted in place at the job site by using ordinary tools. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a solution to a field problem by providing a universal rake-ridge cap for the rake ridge of a gable roof that can be quickly cut to fit any roof pitch. The universal rake-ridge cap may consist of any number of stepped arcuate surfaces. The universal rake-ridge cap is cut to so that the stepped arcuate surfaces tangentially intersect the stepped profiles of both rake boards. Further trimming allows the universal rake-ridge cap to conform to the pitch of any gable roof. 
   The universal rake-ridge cap provides a time savings to the installer of rake boards. The junction of the rake boards at the peak of a gable roof no longer requires precision fitting to create an aesthetically pleasing joint. A gap can be left at the junction of the rake boards to be covered by the universal rake-ridge cap that can be quickly cut to blend the stepped contours of the rake boards with the stepped arcuate surfaces of the universal rake-ridge cap. 
   The universal rake-ridge cap is also aesthetically pleasing because the stepped arcuate surfaces of the universal cap provide a single sightline at the peak of a gable roof. When the universal rake-ridge cap is cut and installed so that the stepped arcuate surfaces tangentially intersect the stepped contours of the rake boards, a smooth transition is created from rake board to universal cap to rake board. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the universal rake-ridge cap shown installed on a gable roof design. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views of two embodiments of the universal rake-ridge cap. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views showing a roof gable before and after installation of the universal rake-ridge cap. 
       FIG. 3C  is a plan view of the universal rake-ridge cap showing how the right side portion and left side portion of the universal rake-ridge cap are cut so that it can be fitted onto a gable roof. 
       FIG. 3D  is a rear view of the universal rake-ridge cap of  FIG. 3A-3C  prior to trimming various portions. 
       FIG. 3E  is a depiction of the universal rake-ridge cap of  FIG. 3D  wherein various portions are trimmed therefrom to make the universal rake-ridge cap properly fit to match a particular roof slope. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views showing how that universal rake-ridge cap can accommodate different gable roof pitches. 
       FIG. 4C  is an elevational view showing how the universal rake-ridge cap accommodates different gable roof pitches. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the universal rake-ridge cap positioned in place with two rake members. 
       FIG. 6A  is a cross sectional view taken through lines  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 3B  displaying a stepped arcuate surface. 
       FIGS. 6B through 6H  are cross sections of the universal rake-ridge cap displaying other contemplated stepped arcuate surface designs. 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the universal rake-ridge cap showing multiple stepped arcuate surfaces tangentially intersecting with multiple stepped surfaces of the two rake members. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are elevational views of the universal rake-ridge cap showing how the universal rake-ridge cap accommodates different gap widths at the junction of two rake members at the peak of a gable roof. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of multiple universal rake-ridge caps and their use with a gable roof design that includes a soffit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, the several embodiments of the present invention are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the invention to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
   The present invention is directed to an innovative universal rake-ridge cap  20  shown in  FIG. 1  as part of a structure&#39;s trim package including a facade  22 , rake members  24 ′,  24 ″. For clarity, final roof sheating and roofing materials have been omitted from  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates universal rake-ridge cap  20  according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, universal rake-ridge cap  20  includes a first surface  28 , a second surface  30 , and at least one stepped arcuate surface  32  that intersects first surface  28  and second surface  30 . Universal rake-ridge cap  20  further includes a first edge  34 , a second edge  36 , an arcuate surface  38  that intersects vertically with a third edge  40  on first surface  28 , a fourth edge  42 , and a fifth edge  44 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates universal rake-ridge cap  20  according to a second embodiment of the invention. Universal rake-ridge cap  20  shown in  FIG. 2B  includes multiple stepped arcuate surfaces  32 . 
   Universal rake-ridge cap  20  can be manufactured from any number of common construction materials. In a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, resin, or the like would be the preferred fabrication materials for universal rake-ridge cap  20 . 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, once rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ are installed as shown over a structure&#39;s facade  22 , universal rake-ridge cap  20  is placed over gap  46  and a right side portion  20 ′ is cut from universal rake-ridge cap  20  to reveal first edge  34  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  and a left side portion  20 ″ is cut from universal rake-ridge cap  20  to reveal second edge  36  of universal rake-ridge cap  20 . Universal rake-ridge cap  20  is cut such that stepped surfaces  48 ′,  48 ″ of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ tangentially intersect stepped arcuate surface  32  of universal rake-ridge cap  20 . When right side portion  20 ′ and left side portion  20 ″ are cut, a further arcuate surface  36 , which intersects vertically with third edge  38 , is formed to tangentially intersect the undersides of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″. 
   Fourth edge  42  and fifth edge  44  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  are cut so that fourth edge  42  and fifth edge  44  are parallel to the top of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″. Fourth edge  42  and fifth edge  44  are cut to generally abut the adjacent extending edge  26  of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″. Fourth edge  42  and fifth edge  44  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  can be cut in a manner that will accommodate a wide variance of gable roof pitches. 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 3D and 3E , the back side of universal rake-ridge cap  20  is demarked by a series of radially extending lines  21  and a series of tangentially extending lines  23 . These lines of demarcation are numbered so that an installer can easily and quickly trim the universal rake-ridge cap  20  to fit the roof pitch under consideration. For example, if radial line “ 9 ” (radial line  9  referenced as  27 ′,  27 ″) corresponds to the correct roof pitch under consideration, the installer simply cuts universal rake-ridge cap  20  along the right  27 ″ and left  27 ′ radial line-marks indicated by “ 9 ”. This assures that when the corresponding rake members  24 ′,  22 ′ are overlayed by universal rake-ridge cap  20 , the step surfaces  48 ′,  48 ″ of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ will tangentially intersect the stepped arcuate surfaces  32  of universal rake-ridge cap  20 . Likewise, the installer will locate the appropriate upper, tangential guidelines  23 ′,  23 ″ and trims along the appropriately numbered lines  29 ′,  29 ″ to fit the top portion of universal rake-ridge cap  20 . This trimming operation is shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 3E  wherein the remaining core  20 ′ is the portion of universal rake-ridge cap  20  that is installed on the home. The remaining portions that are trimmed therefrom are discarded. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate two different pitches of gable roof as shown by angle βand angle Θ.  FIG. 4B  illustrates a steeper gable roof design than the gable roof design of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4C  illustrates the two gable roof pitches superimposed on top of one another. The solid lines of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ illustrate the shallow roof pitch of  FIG. 4A . The ghost lines of rake members  240 ′,  240 ″ illustrate the steeper roof pitch of  FIG. 4B . Although different gable roof pitches are illustrated, the same universal rake-ridge cap  20  can be trimmed to fit both gable roof designs by adjusting the amount of material removed from fourth edge  42  and fifth edge  44  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 3D and 3E ). 
   When universal rake ridge cap  20  is fitted in this manner, stepped arcuate surface  32  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  cooperatively blend with stepped surfaces  48 ′,  48 ″ of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ thereby forming an attractive finish joint as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
     FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross section of universal rake-ridge cap  20  taken through lines  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 3B  in  FIGS. 6B ,  6 C,  6 D illustrate other contemplated cross sections of stepped arcuate surface  32  of universal rake-ridge cap  20  that may be in the shape of a “U”, “V”, or “W” or variations thereof. It is important to note that the process set forth above for installing universal rake-ridge caps is quick, requires no special tools, and does not required a skilled craftsman. Yet, the finished look is professional and aesthetically pleasing. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates universal rake-ridge cap  20  with a plurality of stepped arcuate surfaces  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c  that correspond with an equal number of stepped surfaces  48   a ′,  48   a ″,  48   b ′,  48   b ″, and  48   c ′,  48   c ″ of rake members  24 ′,  24 ″. Further, stepped arcuate surfaces  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c  and stepped surfaces  48   a ′,  48   a ″,  48   b ′,  48   b ″, and  48   c ′,  48   c ″ increase the detail of universal rake-ridge cap  20  and rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ thereby increasing the aesthetically pleasing look of a gable roof peak. Universal rake-ridge cap  20  may contain any number of stepped arcuate surfaces and rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ may contain any number of stepped surfaces to satisfy the aesthetic requirements of the structure.  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the invention with three stepped arcuate surfaces. 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , one of the advantages of universal rake-ridge cap  20  of the present invention is how it renders uncritical the fitting of rake members  20 ′,  20 ″ at the junction of the peak of the gable roof. For example, when  FIG. 8A  is compared to  FIG. 8B ,  FIG. 8A  shows rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ being trimmed such that gap  46  is relatively small. In contrast,  FIG. 8B  shows rake members  24 ′,  24 ″ being trimmed such that gap  46  is relatively large. However, in either application, universal rake-ridge cap  20  is perfectly suited for concealing gap  46 . In both instances a high quality final trim product results regardless of the size of gap  46 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 9 , not only is universal rake-ridge cap  20  applicable for gabled roof designs having no soffit (such as has been shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A, and  4 B), it is also equally applicable in gabled roof designs that have a soffit  50 . In roof designs such as shown in  FIG. 9 , two universal rake-ridge caps  20   a ,  20   b  would be required. Universal rake-ridge cap  20   a  would be used in a manner that has already been described whereas universal rake-ridge cap  20   b  would be used on the outermost portion of soffit  50  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Universal rake-ridge cap  20   a  as it has herein been described is perfectly capable of functioning in the position shown as  20   b  (the outermost portion of soffit  50 ), and accordingly no further description is needed in association with universal rake-ridge cap  20   b.    
   The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.

Summary:
A universal rake-ridge cap for a gable roof design that includes a first surface, a second surface, and at least one stepped arcuate surface intersecting the first surface and the second surface. The universal rake-ridge cap is employed to conceal any gap at the junction of two rake boards in a gable roof design. The universal rake ridge cap can be cut so that the arcuate surface will tangentially intersect the stepped surfaces of rake members to provide an aesthetically pleasing transition from rake board to universal rake-ridge cap to rake board. The universal rake-ridge cap can quickly be fitted to any gable roof pitch simply by culling the universal rake-ridge cap to the angle or pitch required by the gable roof. No special tools are needed and the final result is both aesthetically pleasing as well as a significant time saver.