Patent Abstract:
A brace for securing roof decking adjacent a roof ridge vent takes the than of an elongated channel, preferably a metal J-shaped channel, with the brace being wrapped around the upper edge portion of the roof decking at the roof ridge. The brace stiffens and carries the weight of the roof decking between the roof trusses or rafters, allowing an unobstructed flow of ventilation air under the decking and preventing bowing of the roof decking. The brace is at least partially covered by a line of shingles and then mounting flange portions of a ridge vent extend over each of the brace, decking edge and shingles.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/308,457 entitled “Roof with Ridge Vent Brace” filed Feb. 26, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains to the building industry and, more particularly, to bracing for use in securing roof decking adjacent a roof ridge vent. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    In the construction of various types of buildings, wood products are widely used as a base layer for a roof. That is, sheets of OSB sheathing or plywood are generally nailed or screwed to roof trusses or rafters to establish decking for the roof, typically followed by shingles being secured upon the sheets. Particularly when constructing a residential home, it is also common to form the roof with a peak and provide venting of an attic space at the peak or ridge of the roof. Typically, a gap is established along the peak, with the gap opening directly into an attic space of the residence. A ridge vent assembly, typically formed of various elongated, perforated metal members arranged in an overlapping manner, is then mounted over the gap along the entire peak. More specifically, the ridge vent assembly includes side flanges mounted along each side of the peak, with the flanges sitting atop the shingles. With this construction, heated air that collects in the attic space is permitted to escape from the residence through the ridge vent assembly, thereby providing for a more energy efficient, configuration, particularly during summer months when an owner may be trying to cool the air in the, home while the attic space contains rather hot air. 
         [0006]    Certainly, the roof needs to be constructed in a manner which prevents the ingress of rain water. One factor that can seriously compromise these features is warping of the sheets establishing the roof decking along lines adjacent the peek. To address this potential flaw, it is known to mount blocks, such as pieces of 2×4 wood studs, between the roof trusses or rafters, thereby providing support directly beneath the uppermost edges of the decking. Unfortunately, mounting these blocks can be fairly time consuming. In addition, the blocks do not allow for an unobstructed flow of ventilation air from between the rafters to the ridge vent assembly. 
         [0007]    Based on these and other perceived construction drawbacks associated with the typical, construction of buildings with vented peaks, it is considered desirable to provide an arrangement which eases aspects of the overall construction, substantially prevents roof decking from warping along lines adjacent a ridge roof assembly and allows unobstructed flow of ventilation air moving under the sheathing and exiting the ridge vent. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a brace for securing a roof deck adjacent a roof ridge&#39;vent. More specifically, the brace takes the form of an elongated metal, preferably J-shaped channel, with the brace being wrapped around the upper edge portion of the roof decking, such as OSB sheathing or plywood, at the roof ridge. The brace stiffens and carries the weight of the roof decking between the roof trusses or rafters, allowing an unobstructed flow of ventilation air under the decking and preventing bowing of the roof decking. In the winter, this unobstructed air flow exists from the soffit to the ridge vent which aids in preventing ice damming. The brace is at least partially covered by a line of shingles and then mounting flange portions of a ridge vent extend over each of the brace, decking edge and shingles. 
         [0009]    Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective and exploded view of a residential building employing a ridge vent brace in accordance with the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of a roof ridge with ridge vent brace according to the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the ridge vent brace of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a portion of a building constructed utilizing the ridge vent brace of the invention is generally indicated at  2 . Based on the illustrated angle of building  2 , which, can be a residential or commercial building, both a first upstanding side wall  5  and a second upstanding side wall  6  are shown, along with a roof  8 . As depicted, roof  8  constitutes a gable-style roof, although it should be understood that the invention can also be employed in connection with other types of known roofing constructions, including hip and Gambrel roofs. As also shown in this figure, side walls  5  and  6  are provided with siding  14 , such as aluminum, vinyl or wood planks, as well as associated corner trim.  16 . Of course, it, should be realized that other types of known exterior finishes could be used, including brick, stone and the like. 
         [0014]    In a similar manner, roof  8  can be constructed of various materials. As shown, roof  8  includes roof decking  20 , such as OSB sheathing or plywood which are held in place by various, fasteners  24 , such as nails or screws. Roof decking  20  is mounted up to a peak or ridge  27  and has mounted thereon roofing or tar paper  29 , as well as shingles  30  or other known weatherguard roofing members. At the peak  27 , in a manner known in the field, roof decking  20  and shingles  30  stop short of peak  27  and an elongated ridge vent  34  is provided to cover this portion of roof  8  from the ingress of rain and the like, while also permitting heated air to escape from an uppermost portion, such as an attic space (not labeled) of building  2 , thereby enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the construction. At this point, it should be noted that these details of building  2  are provided for the sake of completeness and are not intended to be limiting to the invention. Instead, the invention is more specifically concerned with the inclusion and structure of a ridge vent brace  38  in the overall construction. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional side view of the uppermost portion of gable roof  8  depicts rafters  42  and  43 , which can be separately mounted or formed as part of a pre-assembled truss structure. A connecting plate or truss gusset  46  is shown connecting rafters  42  and  43 , although a ridge board-type construction is also common in the field. Most, importantly, this figure illustrates the mounting of various ridge vent braces  38  in accordance with the invention. However, before detailing this mounting, the preferred construction of ridge vent brace  38  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0016]    The perspective view of  FIG. 3  shows each ridge vent brace  38  including a base leg  55 , an upper leg  58  and a connecting leg  61 . In the most preferred embodiment, connecting leg  61  extends substantially perpendicular to and spaces base and upper legs  55  and  58 , thereby establishing a channel  64  between base leg  55  and upper leg  58 . Base leg  55  preferably projects from connecting leg  61  a distance substantially greater than upper leg  58  such that ridge vent brace  38  assumes a J-shape from an end view. Although ridge vent brace  38  could be made of various stiff and substantially inflexible materials, the invention preferably employs metal, such as galvanized steel or other metal of sufficient thickness, such as 18-25 gauge. In the most preferred form of the invention, ridge vent brace  38  is, provided in a length and channel dimension matching roof decking  20 . Therefore, if roof decking  20  constitutes ½″ thick, 4′×8′ plywood sheets, each ridge vent brace  38  is 8 feet long and base leg  55  is spaced from upper leg  58  by a distance just slightly greater than ½″, such as 9/32″ or 5/16″. In accordance with the invention, the width of base and upper legs  55  and  58  can vary, with base leg  55  preferably being more than twice the dimension of upper leg  55  to establish the J-shape. For instance, base leg  55  can be made approximately 2 inches wide, while upper leg  58  is approximately ¾″ wide, as measured projecting from connecting leg  61 . If desired, greater dimensions can be employed, such as base leg  55  being approximately 6 inches wide and upper leg being approximately 2″ wide. 
         [0017]    Given this construction, as shown best in.  FIG. 2 , each ridge vent brace  38  is adapted to slip over an uppermost edge  68  of a respective sheet of roof decking  20 , with each ridge vent brace  38  extend rig along, yet being spaced from, peak  27 . Given the dimensioning of ridge vent brace  38  relative to roof decking  20 , the uppermost edge of roof decking  20  is snugly received in channel  64 , with ridge vent brace  38  being held down by the mounting of roof decking  20  to the respective rafter  42 ,  43 . Thereafter, ridge vent  34  is mounted along peak  27  and extends over the upper leg  58  of each ridge vent brace  38 . More particularly, ridge vent  34  is shown to-include interconnected, angled panels  78  and  79 , each of which leads to a respective in-turned portion  82 ,  83  and a mounting flange  86 ,  87 . It is mounting flanges  86  and  87  which extend beyond the respective upper legs  58  and atop portions of shingles  30 , then are used to secure ridge vent  34  to roof decking  20  with mechanical fasteners (not shown). 
         [0018]    Due to the use of the ridge vent braces of the invention, the number of which will depend on the actual length of the roof, the uppermost edge portions of the roof decking will not be able to warp or otherwise deform in a manner which could lead to leaking of the roof adjacent the ridge vent. That is, the uppermost edge portions are snugly captured in the base channels and, since the braces are stiff and substantially inflexible, the shape of the uppermost edge portions are maintained. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, it should be recognized that the ridge vent braces function to stiffen and carry the weight of the roof decking between the rafters, preventing bowing of the roof decking. In addition, the use of the ridge vent braces, avoids the need to install boards or studs between the rafters in order to directly nail down the uppermost edge of the roof decking such that employing the ridge vent bracing of the invention also ensures the unobstructed and efficient flow of ventilation air moving under the decking to the ridge vent. In the winter, this unobstructed flow of air occurs from the soffit to the ridge vent, keeping the underside of the roof sheeting at a modified temperature to aid in preventing ice damming. 
         [0019]    Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4