Abstract:
A method of creating a roof venting space includes assembling a plurality of roof rafters where at least one end of the plurality of roof rafters are assembled to a surface to define a space between the one end of the plurality of roof rafters and the surface, attaching roof sheathing to the outside of the plurality of roof rafters where the roof sheathing covers the space creating a continuous internal ducting space, and connecting a vent to the continuous internal ducting space.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,618, filed Oct. 8, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to construction brackets for framing. Particularly, the present invention relates to construction brackets for a roof. More particularly, the present invention relates to construction brackets for roof rafters for more efficient construction and for venting of roofs.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     In wood frame building construction, a plurality of paired roof rafters are connected together forming a roof structure. Typically during construction, a ridge board is used to facilitate the roof rafter framing process. Roofs are typically vented to prevent excess heat and associated problems such as increased cooling costs in hot climates and ice formation on the roof in cold climates. The formation of ice results from a lack of free flowing air from the eaves to the ridge of the roof. The ice forms dams (known as ice dams) that cause the water from melting snow to become trapped behind the ice dam. Water then backs up under the shingles causing water damage to the roof, roof structure and internal walls and ceilings.  
         [0006]     In roof structures that do not incorporate an attic, a ridge vent is typically installed along the ridge of the roof so that ambient air is allowed to freely flow from the eaves to the ridge vent along paths between the rafters. There are several disadvantages of using ridge vents. In cold climates, snow may accumulate on the roof and the ridge vent, thus blocking the ridge vent. Blocking of the ridge vent prevents proper venting of the roof that leads to the formation of ice dams. In addition, proper venting of roof hips or valleys or around gables tends to be ignored. This creates venting problems for construction designs that incorporate large numbers of gables and no attic space between the rafters and ceiling joists. Further, ridge vents create a ridge line that is not aesthetically pleasing. It creates the look of a misaligned ridge like a ridge cap that doesn&#39;t quite belong. This is unlike the use of roof cupolas that add an aesthetically pleasing feature to a roof or the use of gable vents.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,699 (1990, Spinelli) discloses a ridge vent comprising a matting or matrix of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments heat bonded to a porous sheet material layer. The sheet material layer overlies the ridge peak opening and is wrapped around the edges of the filament matrix to prevent entry of foreign material into the matrix as well as into the attic. The sheet material layer permits the flow of ventilating air through the peak opening and outwardly beneath the ridge cap shingles.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,678 (2002, Rotter) discloses a contoured roof ventilation system. The ventilation system has a strip with an air-permeable portion located adjacent a ridge slot. Standoff clips are provided which can be placed over the air-permeable strip at fastener locations which are located on flat portions of the roof panels. A sealing material may be place beneath the air-permeable strip at such fastener locations to prevent the ingress of moisture beneath the panels.  
         [0009]     Both of these device suffer from the same disadvantages described earlier, i.e., the problem of snow accumulation blocking ventilation along the ridge and the unaesthetic look of a ridge vent. Consequently, the proper venting of a roof continues to be a problem.  
         [0010]     Not only is roof venting a problem, but also connecting one rafter to another requires that the rafters be attached securely. Various hangers have been devised to facilitate the attachment of rafters and joists. The following are examples of such devices.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,694 (1998, Breivik) discloses an adjustable ridge connector. The adjustable ridge connector has an elongated spine with a longitudinal axis. The spine has a first portion and a second portion. First and second opposed ears extend from the first portion of the spine in a direction transverse to the axis. Each of the ears has distal ends. First and second opposed flanges extend from the spine in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and are adjacent to the first and second ears. The first and second flanges form an arcuate taper towards the second portion of the spine. A first and a second seat tab extend longitudinally from the second portion of the spine in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and form an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spine. Each of the seat tabs have distal ends. The flanges define a plurality of fastener openings. The openings are aligned about a plurality of vertically spaced axes. At least two sets of openings are formed by the plurality of openings; each set is distinguishable from the other for designating either skewed or non-skewed configurations.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,342 (1993, Kresa, Jr.) discloses a variable angle joist support. The variable angle joist support includes a base plate mounted to a first surface of a supporting beam and a pair of spaced apart support sides flexibly attached to the base plate. The support sides sandwich a joist to be supported at a variable interface angle relative to the beam. Each support side includes a support section which is positionable to fit flush against a respective side surface of the joist. The flexible attachment of the support sides to the base plate allows the support sides to pivot about a beam mounted base plate in order to receive a joist at any desired interface angle. The support sides can be flexibly attached to the base plate using hinges or malleable accordion shaped sections. The support sides can be provided with coplanar bottom flanges for support of and interconnection to a bottom surface of the joist. The support sides may be made of a malleable material or include multiple hinged support sections.  
         [0013]     A disadvantage of these connector devices is the need to cut the butting end of the joist or rafter at the proper angle for attachment to a ridge board or other joist. This requires skill to determine the proper angle to form along with the proper length of the board. Another disadvantage is the time required to perform the cut of the joist or rafter at the proper angle for attachment to these connector devices.  
         [0014]     Therefore, what is needed is a construction bracket that provides a more efficient way of connecting rafters during the framing/construction process. What is further needed is a construction bracket that does not require a user to perform an acute angle cut of the end of the joist or rafter before attaching to the construction bracket. What is also needed is a construction bracket that, when used to connect roof rafters at roof ridges, hips or valleys, creates a passageway to improve roof ventilation. What is yet further needed is construction bracket that forms a roof ventilation system unaffected by snow accumulation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction bracket that provides a more efficient way of connecting roof rafters by decreasing framing time and reducing the number of angle cuts required to fabricate sloped roofs. It is another object of the present invention is to provide a construction bracket that eliminates the need for compound angle cuts on rafter ends for roof hips and valleys. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a construction bracket that allows for easier attachment of light framing to large structural members at angled building configurations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an internal ducting system for venting a roof that is more aesthetic than external systems and does not increase the height of the ridge. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide improved airflow in a ventilated roof, even roofs with multiple gables, hips and/or valleys. It is another object of the present invention to provide proper roof ventilation even when the roof is covered with snow.  
         [0016]     The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a construction bracket that has at least a first flange and a second flange connected to each other along one edge of each flange forming a “V” shaped bracket, which is either at a fixed or an adjustable angle. In its simplest configuration, the first flange is configured to connect to the end of a roof rafter that is square cut. An end having a square cut is one whose end is substantially perpendicular to the length of the board. The second flange is configured to connect to the end of a second roof rafter that is the opposing rafter to the one attached to the first flange, or in the case of a shed roof, to a header board. Because the need to make angled or compound angle cuts to the ends of the rafters forming the roof structure is eliminated, the time required to frame a roof is decreased thus providing a savings on labor cost.  
         [0017]     Using a construction bracket of the present invention to join each paired rafter, or a shed roof rafter to a header board, creates a continuous internal space at the ridge, hip, or valley of a roof bounded by a covering such as the roof sheathing, which is typically plywood, or at the junction of the rafters of a shed roof with the header wall bounded by the shed roof sheathing. Unlike the typical construction structure where a ridge board, hip board or valley board is used to facilitate connecting the paired rafters together and creating a solid junction with the sheathing along these structures, this feature of the present invention, i.e. creating a continuous internal space along the rafter/rafter junctions, allows for improved airflow and roof ventilation even when the roof is covered by snow or when a large number of gables, ridges, hips, and valleys are present. This is so because no ridge vent is required. Gable end vents provide the vent outlet for the internal space. It also allows for improved airflow of shed roofs. An added feature is the improved aesthetic look of the roof line. Even in long, extended roof ridges, cupolas may be used to vent the roof at predetermined locations. The use of cupolas is an aesthetically pleasing and acceptable roof design feature.  
         [0018]     The construction bracket of the present invention may be provided in a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the construction bracket may include a pivotable junction between the first and second flange. The pivotable junction allows for adaptability and adjustability to practically any roof angle design. “A rafter joining board” may be used to connect a plurality of construction brackets together along each of the first and second flanges to facilitate the joining of all of the roof rafters together. These rafter joining boards are used to connect the rafters together in much the same way a ridge board is used to facilitate joining of roof rafters as currently practiced in the art.  
         [0019]     In addition to the use of rafter joining boards, standard joist brackets may also be used to attach to the rafter joining boards to further facilitate the rafter construction/assembly process. In another embodiment, the construction bracket may have joist hangers attached directly to each of the first and second flanges or may be integrally formed with the construction bracket. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the construction bracket may have a predetermined, continuous length capable of receiving a predetermined number of rafters. An advantage of this embodiment having a pivotable junction allows the framers to attach a predetermined number of rafters to the construction bracket and then raise this “pre-built” section of roof framing to the desired location. Markings may also be incorporated onto the surface of each flange at locations that match the proper construction code-defined spacing between each rafter to eliminate the need to measure, mark, and attach each rafter according to the required construction code spacing. This has the advantage of also saving time during the framing process.  
         [0020]     For roofs of relatively low pitch, another embodiment of the present invention provides a way to insure that a sufficient internal space is formed between the rafters. In this embodiment, the construction bracket includes a base between the first and second flanges. In use, this embodiment has the shape of square-shaped “U” where the extending legs flare away from the inside of the “U”. The base, which corresponds to the bottom of the square-shaped “U”, provides the necessary spacing between the first and second flanges to create a sufficient internal volume between the rafters. Like the V-shaped construction bracket of the present invention, the first and second flanges may be fixedly attached to each side of the base or they may be pivotably attached allowing for a range of roof pitches.  
         [0021]     The U-shaped bracket of the present invention may also have the additional features that the V-shaped bracket may have as described above. Both the U-shaped and V-shaped brackets may incorporate a predetermined amount of insulation at the bottoms of the brackets to further reduce possible heat loss through the bracket. The U-shaped bracket may be further configured to accommodate a ridge beam against the outside surface of the base. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a simplified embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of one embodiment of the present invention showing rafter ends connected directly to the first and second flanges.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the present invention in  FIG. 2  showing the use of a rafter connecting board between each of the first and second flanges.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the present invention in  FIG. 3  showing the use of the construction bracket for connecting the rafter ends of a shed roof to a wall.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side plan views of another embodiment of the present invention showing the first and second flanges connected to each other through a base portion.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of the embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 5A  showing the rafter ends connected directly to the first and second flanges.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of the embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 5B  showing the use of a rafter connecting board between each of the first and second flanges.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an elongated construction bracket with first and second flanges for receiving a plurality of rafters.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an elongated construction bracket with a base and first and second flanges for receiving a plurality of rafters.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a plate-type construction bracket with a pivotable joint.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the embodiment in  FIG. 10  showing the embodiment mounted to a pair of rafters. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 .  FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a simplified construction bracket  10  of the present invention. Construction bracket  10  includes a first flange  20  having first flange edge  21 , a first flange inside surface  22  and a first flange outside surface  24  (not shown), and a second flange  40  having a second flange edge  41 , a second flange inside surface  42  (not shown) and a second flange outside surface  44 . First flange  20  and second flange  40  are joined along first flange edge  21  and second flange edge  41 . Construction bracket  10  may be constructed by connecting first flange  20  to second flange  40  by any means known to those skilled in the art for attaching one flange to another flange. If construction bracket  10  is made of metal, first flange  20  may be welded to second flange  40  at a predetermined angle of separation θ. Construction bracket  10  may also be formed as a single piece such as by casting or stamping. If construction bracket  10  is made of nonmetal, first flange  20  may be attached to second flange  40  using fasteners, adhesives, joining components, etc. Turning now to  FIG. 1B , there is illustrated a construction bracket  10  having an adjustable angle of separation θ. Construction bracket  10  includes a hinge  30  joining first flange  20  to second flange  40 . Flanges  20  and  40  may optionally include a plurality of holes/openings  12  for receiving construction fasteners such as nails, screws and the like.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows the construction bracket  10  in cross-section in a typical roof frame application. A first rafter  110  is connected to first flange outside surface  24  and a second rafter  110 ′ is connected to second flange outside surface  44 . When a covering such as roof sheathing  120  is applied to the rafters to enclose the roof, the plurality of construction brackets  10  form an internal ducting space  130 . Optionally, insulation  140  may be provided on the inside of construction bracket  10 .  
         [0035]     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated construction bracket  10  where a rafter joining board  150  is incorporated to facilitate the assembly of the roof frame. Rafter joining board  150  joins a plurality of construction brackets  10  much like construction methods currently used where a ridge board is used to join the roof rafters together. Additionally, optional joist hangers  152  may be used to attach rafters  110  and  110 ′ to rafter joining board  150 . It should be noted that construction brackets  10  may also be provided with joist hangers already attached to first flange surface  24  and second flange surface  44  forming an integral unit.  
         [0036]     Construction bracket  10  may also be used in shed roof construction.  FIG. 4  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of construction bracket  10  connecting shed roof rafter  110  to first flange  20  and second flange  40  attached or connected to wall  122 . This illustration shows the use of a rafter joining board  150  and joist hanger  152 . It is noted that an internal ducting space  130  is also formed between wall  122  and construction bracket  10  and enclosed by roof sheathing  120 . Internal ducting space  130  may be vented with outside wall vents in an unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing way while providing proper venting to the shed roof.  
         [0037]     A second embodiment of construction bracket  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Turning to  FIG. 5A , construction bracket  10 ′ includes a first flange  20  having first flange edge  21 , an first flange inside surface  22  and a first flange outside surface  24  (not shown), a base  60  having first base side  61 , a second base edge  61 ′ , a base inside surface  62 , and a base outside surface  64  (not shown) and a second flange  40  having a second flange edge  41 , a second flange inside surface  42  (not shown) and a second flange outside surface  44 . First flange  20  and second flange  40  are joined to base  60  along first flange edge  21  and first base edge  61  and along second flange side  41  and second base edge  61 ′.  
         [0038]     Construction bracket  10 ′ may be constructed by connecting first flange  20  and second flange  40  to base  60  by any means known to those skilled in the art. If construction bracket  10 ′ is made of metal, first flange  20  and second flange  40  may be welded to first base edge  61  and second base edge  61 ′ , respectively, at a predetermined angle of separation θ. Construction bracket  10 ′ may also be formed as a single piece such as by casting or stamping. If construction bracket  10 ′ is made of nonmetal, first flange  20  and second flange  40  may be attached to base  60  using fasteners, adhesives, joining components, etc. Turning now to  FIG. 5B , there is illustrated a construction bracket  10 ′ having an adjustable angle of separation θ. Construction bracket  10 ′ includes a first hinge  30  and a second hinge  30 ′ joining first flange  20  and second flange  40  to base  60 . Flanges  20  and  40  and base  60  may optionally include a plurality of holes/openings  12  for receiving construction fasteners such as nails, screws and the like.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows the construction bracket  10 ′ in cross-section in a typical roof frame application. A first rafter  110  is connected to first flange outside surface  24  and a second rafter  110 ′ is connected to second flange outside surface  44 . When roof sheathing  120  is applied to the rafters to enclose the roof, the plurality of construction brackets  10 ′ form an internal ducting space  130 . Construction bracket  10 ′ is preferably used in roof construction having a relatively low pitch. Base  60  of construction bracket  10 ′ provides a predefined separation between first flange  20  and second flange  40  to allow the formation of internal ducting space  130  having sufficient volume for venting the roof. Optionally, insulation  140  may be provided on the inside of construction bracket  10 ′.  
         [0040]     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated construction bracket  10 ′ where a rafter joining board  150  is incorporated to facilitate the assembly of the roof frame. Rafter joining board  150  joins a plurality of construction brackets  10 ′ much like construction methods currently used where a ridge board is used to join the roof rafters together. Additionally, optional joist hangers  152  may be used to attach rafters  110  and  110 ′ to rafter joining board  150 . It should be noted that construction brackets  10 ′ may also be provided with joist hangers already attached to first flange surface  24  and second flange surface  44  as integral components. Base  60  may optionally be attached to a ridge beam  126  in construction where ridge beam  126  is incorporated in the roof design.  
         [0041]     It is noted that construction brackets  10  and  10 ′ may be used not only on roof ridges, but may also be incorporated into roof hips, valleys and gables. Even where roof ventilation is not a major concern, construction brackets  10  and  10 ′ will reduce the cost of constructing the roof frame by eliminating the need to make angle cuts at the rafter ends used for framing roof ridges, hips, valley, gables, and shed roofs. Whether I-beams or other dimensioned lumber is used, construction brackets  10  and  10 ′ may be adapted for attachment to the necessary joining structure.  
         [0042]     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there is illustrated yet other embodiments of construction brackets  10  and  10 ′.  FIG. 8  shows a construction bracket  11  that is similar to construction bracket  10  but may optionally be of any length to accommodate attachment of a plurality of rafters. This would facilitate pre-assembling of roof sections that could be joined together to form the roof frame. Construction bracket  11  may also include indicia  170  on any of the surfaces  22 ,  24 ,  42 , and  44  that would indicate proper placement of the roof rafter without requiring the user to measure the required distance between each adjacent rafter.  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows construction bracket  11 ′ that is similar to construction bracket  10 ′ but may optionally be of any length to accommodate attachment of a plurality of rafters. This would also facilitate pre-assembling of roof sections that could be joined together to form the roof frame. Construction bracket  11 ′ may also include indicia  170  on any of the surfaces  22 ,  24 ,  42 , and  44  that would indicate proper placement of the roof rafter without requiring the user to measure the required distance between each adjacent rafter.  
         [0044]     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention. Construction bracket  200  includes a first rafter bracket  210 , a second rafter bracket  220 , and a bracket connecting plate  230 . Each of the brackets  210  and  220  and the connecting plate  230  have a pivotable hinge point  212 ,  222  and  232 , respectively. First rafter bracket  210  includes a first bracket plate  214  with a an edge portion  215  having a first bracket pivot extension  216  that is coplanar with plate  214  and a first bracket tab portion  217  extending substantially perpendicular to plate  214 . First bracket pivot extension  216  incorporates pivotable hinge point  212 . First bracket tab portion  217  is used to abut the end of the rafter to which it is attached.  
         [0045]     Second rafter bracket  220  is a mirror-image of first rafter bracket  210  and includes a second bracket plate  224  with a an edge portion  225  having a second bracket pivot extension  226  that is coplanar with plate  224  and a second bracket tab portion  227  extending substantially perpendicular to plate  224 . Second bracket pivot extension  226  incorporates pivotable hinge point  222 . Second bracket tab portion  227  is used to abut the end of the rafter to which it is attached.  
         [0046]     Bracket connecting plate  230  is a substantially flat plate used for securing the construction rafters at a predefined angle of the roof to create the internal duct space  250  (not shown). Bracket connecting plate  230 , first rafter bracket  210  and second rafter bracket  220  may be connected to each other at pivotable hinge points  232 ,  212  and  222  using any known fastening mechanism that permits pivotal movement of the first and second rafter brackets  210  and  220 , respectively. One example of an inexpensive fastener is a rivet sized to allow the components of construction bracket  200  to pivot relative to each other. The first and second rafter brackets  210  and  220  and the bracket connection plate  230  each have a plurality of openings  202  for receiving fasteners such as nails or screws or lag bolts or the like for securing the construction bracket  200  to the roof rafters and fixing the angle of the roof rafters.  
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows the construction bracket  200  in cross-section in a typical roof frame application. A first rafter  110  is connected to first bracket plate  214  and first bracket tab portion  217  and a second rafter  110 ′ is connected to second bracket plate  224  and second bracket tab portion  227 . Once the proper roof angle is set by the user, then bracket connecting plate  230  is secured to first rafter  110  and second rafter  110 ′ through first rafter bracket  210  and through second rafter bracket  220 . When roof sheathing  120  is applied to the rafters to enclose the roof, the plurality of construction brackets  200  form an internal ducting space  250 .  
         [0048]     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.