Patent Publication Number: US-6981348-B2

Title: Flashing for an exterior arched surface and method

Description:
This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/404,172 filed on Aug. 15, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains to exterior flashing and, more particularly, to such flashing designed for use around curved exterior wall projections. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Z- or L-shaped metal flashing is commonly used in the building industry to prevent the intrusion of water through a joint on an exterior wall projection, such as a windowsill or doorframe. Around curved exterior wall projections, slits or V-shaped cutouts are made on the flange members that enable the flashing to be bent around a curved surface. Also, flexible flashing made of rubber, latex, or asphalt-based material has been used that bends around a curved surface. One drawback with Z- or L-shaped flashing is that rainwater is able to travel through the slits or cutouts. One drawback with flexible flashing material is that it slowly deteriorates when exposed to ultraviolet light. 
   What is needed is a flashing made for an arched surface that is attractive and paintable; can be easily bent around the top surface of the arched surface; does not allow the intrusion of water; and, does not deteriorate when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an attractive and paintable flashing for an arched wall projection. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a flashing that prevents the intrusion of water. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a flashing when properly installed around an arched wall projection that does not deteriorate with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are met by a flashing specifically designed for use on an exterior arched wall projection that stops water intrusion and is resistant to damage caused by UV radiation. The flashing includes a Z-shaped or L-shaped body with a flexible flashing material adhesively attached to its back surface. In the preferred embodiment, the body includes a top flange member and an intermediate flange member. The top flange member is relatively wide and includes a plurality of transversely aligned slits evenly spaced thereon that allow the intermediate flange member to be bent around a curved or arched wall projection. In the preferred embodiment, the slits extend partially and transversely over the top flange member thereby leaving a small portion of the top flange member uncut. As the intermediate flange member is bent in a direction opposite the top flange member around an arched wall projection, the slits&#39; opening widen so that the intermediate flange member may smoothly conform in shape to the adjacent arched wall projection. In a second embodiment, that flashing includes a lower flange member perpendicularly aligned with the intermediate flange member and opposite the top flange member. In both embodiments, flexible flashing material is adhesively bonded to the inside surfaces of the top, intermediate, and lower flange members and extends over the outside surface of the top flange member to completely cover the slits and the expanded slit openings. Because the top flange member is typically placed under wall siding, the section of flexible flashing material that covers the slits and slit openings is protected from ultraviolet radiation. The exposed portion of the top flange member is attractive and may be easily painted. 
   Using the above flashing, a method of protecting an arched wall projection is also provided. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an arched window with the flashing disclosed herein attached to its outer surface. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a section of an arched window showing the flashing. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a section of the flashing. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of a section of the flashing. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
   Shown in the accompanying  FIGS. 1–5 , there is shown a flashing  10  specifically designed for use on an exterior arched or curved wall projection  52  that stops water intrusion and provides a permanent, attractive, paintable surface that is safe from UV radiation. The flashing  10  includes a metal body  12  with flexible flashing material  40  bonded to its entire back surface  13  and a portion of its front surface  15 . In the preferred embodiment, the metal body  12  is Z-shaped with top, intermediate and lower flange members  18 ,  24 ,  30 , respectively. The top flange member  18  includes a plurality of transversely aligned slits  20  evenly spaced and formed thereon that allow the metal body  12  to be continuously bent in the direction toward the lower flange member  30  for placement around an existing curved or arched wall projection  52  commonly found around a window  50 . The slits  20  are slightly shorter in length than the width of the top flange member  18  thereby creating a continuous, non-cut section located adjacent to the corner between the top flange member  18  and the intermediate flangemember  24 . 
   When the intermediate flange member  24  is bent in a direction opposite the top flange member  18 , the slits  20  open. Also formed on the lower flange member  30  are optional slits  32  designed also to allow the metal body  12  to bend in the same direction as the top flange member  18 . The flexible flashing material  40  is adhesively bonded to the inside surfaces of the top, intermediate, and lower flange members  18 ,  24 ,  30 , respectively, and extends slightly over the outside surface of the top flange member  18 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the flexible flashing material  40  is a non-woven, rubber or polyester core with a self-adhering asphalt layer approximately 30 to 50 mils thick. The metal body  12  is made of steel approximately 50 to 100 mils thick. The width and length of the top flange member  18 , intermediate member  24  and lower flange member  30  can vary depending on the application. 
   During use, the metal body  12  is positioned around a curved wall projection  52  so that the intermediate flange member  24  covers the horizontal surface on the curved wall projection  52 . The top flange member  18  is positioned against the adjacent vertical wall surface and attached thereto with nails  58  or suitable connections. As the intermediate flange member  24  is bent around the curved wall projection  52 , the size of the slits  20  are adjusted. Exterior wall boards  56  are lapped over the top flange member  18  to protect the flexible flashing material  40  from ultraviolet radiation. 
   Using the above flashing, a method of protecting an exterior arched wall projection  52  is also provided: 
   a. selecting a flashing  10  that includes a body  12  with a top flange member  18  and a perpendicularly aligned intermediate flange member  24 , said top flange member  18  including a plurality of transversely aligned slits  20  formed thereon, a flexible flashing material  40  bonded over the inside and outside surfaces of said top flange member  18  thereby covering said slits  20 ; 
   b. positioning said flashing  10  over a curved wall projection  52  so that said intermediate flange member  24  is adjacent to the curved wall projection  52  and said top flange member  18  is position adjacent to a wall perpendicularly aligned with said curved wall projection  52 , said curved wall projection  52  being curved in a direction opposite to top flange member  18  so that said slits  20  open when said intermediate flange member  24  is bent around said curved wall projection  52 ; 
   c. securing the flashing  10  over said curved wall projection  52 ; and, 
   d. attaching exterior wall boards  56  over said top flange member  18 . 
   In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.