Abstract:
An external soffit system for a conservatory roof which prevents unwelcome insects or birds from forming nests and provides a more aesthetically appealing appearance of the conservatory. The soffit also provides a platform from which lights or speakers may be mounted. The soffit and supporting structure also provide added protection to the conservatory roof structure from the elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/420,293, filed Oct. 22, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conservatory rooms have typically been formed from metal frames and glass or transparent plastic panels. The roofs were formed from a series of rafters which supported transparent glass or weather-resistant plastic (e.g., polyvinylchloride) panels between the rafters. The roof end of the rafters and panels often extend beyond the side walls creating an overhang. Generally, these roofs did not incorporate gutters. 
     The roof overhangs can provide an inviting nesting location for birds and insects such as wasps and bees. Once established in the recessed corner of the overhangs, where the under-section of the roof meets the eaves beam, it can be difficult to eliminate these pests and prevent their return. Moreover, bird droppings and stinging insects often pose emotional and physical health concerns to individuals. 
     It is also important to make the roof attractive. Generally, plastic trim is used to cover exposed edges of supports and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a soffit system which addresses the problems associated with an exposed conservatory roof overhang and provides for a gutter system. Specifically, a soffit is mounted between the eaves beam and the edge of the roof overhang, thus creating a closed space under the overhang. 
     By enclosing the space under the overhang, pests are prevented from accessing and nesting in the corner recesses of the overhang. 
     The present invention also provides an attractive appearance in the eaves portion of the roof and provides a gutter system. The added protection afforded by the present invention may lengthen the life of the conservatory and reduce periodic maintenance costs. 
     Finally, the present invention provides the architectural option of creating a conservatory with a different external appearance and functionality. For example, the soffit can be configured to hold external lights or speakers, can hide wiring or other conduits, or can contain vents. The present invention thus contributes both aesthetic as well as functional value. 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed drawings and descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conservatory roof with supporting posts according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken of lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a conservatory roof  10  having a plurality of rafters  12  which generally attach at an upper end to a ridge beam  14  which, as shown, extends outwardly from a wall of a house or other building  16 . Rafters  12  extend from the ridge beam  14  to an eaves beam  22 . Between individual rafters  12  are panels  20  which constitute the majority of the sloped surface area of the conservatory&#39;s roof  10 . 
     The eaves beam  22 , in turn, is supported by a plurality of posts or mullions  24 . The posts or mullions  24  rest upon the ground, floor, or similar foundational structure  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the posts or mullions  24  contain parallel vertical guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b.  Nested between guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b  is the lower section  36  of the eaves beam  22 . The parallel guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b  are generally centrally located on the posts or mullions  24 , and are separated from each other by a distance approximating the exterior width of the lower section  36  of the eaves beam  22 . These guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b  prevent horizontal movement of the eaves beam  22  and act as a guide to place and attach the eaves beam  22  on the posts or mullions  24 . 
     The lower section  36  of the eaves beam  22  includes a first and second channel  37 ,  39 . A first part of the guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b  engages walls  41 ,  43  of these channels. Exteriorly of the guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b,  a parallel set of tabs  44 ,  45  extends vertically upward from the top wall  42  of the posts or mullions  24 . These tabs  44 ,  45  engage walls  48 ,  49  of channels  37 ,  39 , centering the eaves beam  22  on the posts or mullions  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, these tabs  44 ,  45  extend higher than the guide tabs  40   a  and  40   b  and generally to the respective levels of the bottom surfaces  46 ,  47  of the upper section  38  of the eaves beam  22 . The tabs  44 ,  45  can guide and support the positioning, placement, and securement of the eaves beam  22  to the posts or mullions  24 . The eaves beam  22  can be secured to the posts or mullions  24  with a screw or other suitable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, walls  48 ,  49  also include trim mounting barbs  50   a,    50   b,    50   c.  An interior finishing trim plate  51  containing channel receptacles  54  can be attached to the barbs  50   a,    50   b.    
     An exterior finishing trim plate or mounting arm  52 , containing a channel receptacle  54  and a coupling arm  55 , is attached to the eaves beam  22 . The coupling arm  55  of the exterior finishing trim plate  52  locks with an opposing coupling arm  57  attached to the eaves beam  22  while the channel receptacle  54  snaps onto the barb  50   c,  thus securing the exterior finishing trim plate  52  to the eaves beam  22 . 
     The eaves beam  22  further contains a sloped C-bracket  56  which matches the slope of the roof  10 . The C-bracket  56  holds a support member  58  which, in the preferred embodiment, is made from plastic. The rafters  12  rest on the support member  58 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an opposing C-shaped channel  63  is attached to the C-bracket  56  via parallel sets of opposing coupling appendages  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 . Coupling appendages  70 ,  72 , attached to C-shaped channel  63 , snap into coupling appendages  74 ,  76 , attached to C-bracket  56 , thus securing the C-shaped channel  63  to the C-bracket  56 . Attached to the uppermost outside surface  65  of the C-shaped channel  63  is a pair of rubber glazing members  67 . Channel  63  runs between adjacent rafters. The panels  20  in turn rest on the rubber glazing members  67 . 
     The top of the eaves beam  22  contains a groove or channel  60  which runs the entire length of the eaves beam  22  and is able to collect moisture that runs down along the rafters  12 . The groove or channel  60  is apertured to allow accumulated water to flow interiorly downward with the eaves beam  22  and the posts or mullions  24  to the ground  26  below. 
     A plurality of gutter brackets or hangers  30  are attached with a screw, bolt, or other like fastener to the lower side of the rafters  12 . A gutter  28  runs the length of the roof, supported by gutter hangers  30 . The ends of the rafters are protected by end caps  34  which are attached to the rafters  12  by a bolt or screw  35 . Drip edges  32  can be mounted to the panels  20  in such a way as to drain external moisture into the gutter  28 . 
     The exterior finishing trim plate  52  contains a generally horizontal ledge or arm  64  which supports one edge of a soffit  66 . The other edge of the soffit  66  is supported by horizontal tabs  65  which extend inwardly from gutter hangers  30 . The soffit  66  may be attached to either the exterior finishing trim plate  52  or the gutter brackets  30 , or both. In the preferred embodiment, the soffit  66  is made from vinyl and can have any desired ornamental appearance. 
     When the soffit  66  is in place, the bottom side  68  of the roof&#39;s  10  overhang is protected. This also provides a location or hollow to hide wires or conduits used for telephone, television, computer, electrical, or other purposes. Alternative embodiments could provide for vents, lights, or speakers in the soffit  66 . This has been a description of the present invention and the preferred mode of practicing the invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the claims, wherein: