Abstract:
A fascia and soffit system having a fascia component, a soffit component and a soffit support structure, the fascia component comprising first and second members which are adjustable with respect to each other to permit different heights, the soffit having a plurality of apertures formed therein to permit air passage, the soffit support structure comprising first and second members which are retained in position by an interlocking system.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 10/797,830 filed Mar. 10, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an improved fascia and soffit structure for buildings.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The fascia is that part of a building where the roof terminates. Typically, most residences and relatively small commercial or industrial establishments utilize a sloping roof. The roof structure includes a plurality of rafters upon which a solid material such as plywood or the like is placed. Subsequently, a weatherproofing component is applied on top thereof, the weatherproofing component typically being asphalt tiles although metal, shakes, other types of tiles, and composite materials have all been known to be utilised.  
         [0004]     At the point where the rafters terminate, a fascia is installed and extends along the ends of the rafters. Typically, the fascia may comprise a wooden member and/or a metal member secured to the rafter ends. Typically, the metal member has an L-shaped configuration which extends along the fascia and inwardly towards the soffit portion of the eaves.  
         [0005]     A soffit structure is generally utilized to provide ventilation to the air space under the roof. Typically, the soffit will comprise a piece of metal or plastic having apertures therein to permit the passage of air into the air space. A second outlet such as a roof vent is provided to encourage the flow of air therethrough.  
         [0006]     The arrangement of the fascia and soffit has essentially not changed for many years. The fascia will usually comprise a wooden strip nailed along. the ends of the rafters and this is then covered by a metal or plastic fascia member. However, it is also known to only use the metal or plastic fascia.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated fascia and soffit structure.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fascia and soffit system comprising a fascia component, a soffit component, and a soffit support structure, the fascia component comprising a first member and a second member, the first member having an upper section designed for securement to an upper surface of a roof member, a drip edge formed at an extremity of the upper section, a transition section extending inwardly and downwardly from the first section, and a lower section extending vertically downwardly from the transition section, the lower having first cooperative locking means on an inner side thereof, the second member comprising a fascia member having second cooperative locking means extending outwardly from an upper portion of the fascia member, an inwardly extending flange arrangement at the bottom end of the generally planar portion assigned to an abut and a joining soffit, the soffit support structure comprising a first member having a central vertical section, a support element extending outwardly from a lower portion of the central vertical section, a retaining structure located proximate an upper portion of the central vertical section, a second member having a second member central section adapted to lie adjacent the central section of the first member, the second member having engaging means located at a lower portion of the central section, the engaging means being designed to engage the support element of the first member, the second member having a second portion extending upwardly and outwardly to abut a soffit, the arrangement being such that the second member central section is retained between the retaining structure of the first member and the support element of the first member.  
         [0009]     The first member of the soffit support structure is designed to be secured to a substrate and to retain and support the second member which in turn supports the soffit. As such, the first member will have a section which is designed to lie adjacent to a vertical structure such as the building wall and will also have a section which is designed to lie underneath the soffit.  
         [0010]     The first member, in order to fulfill its function as a means of securing and retaining the second member, has to ensure that the second member remains securely retained in position, preferably without the use of any fastening members.  
         [0011]     To this end, the first member may be secured either through the vertical portion to an adjacent wall or alternatively along the horizontal portion to the underside of the roof structure. If desired, the first member could be secured to both of the structures. The means for fastening the first member may include all the conventional methods including the use of mechanical fastening members, adhesives, etc.  
         [0012]     The second member has a first section which is designed to be secured to and retained by the first member, and a second section which is designed to support the soffit.  
         [0013]     The first section is designed to be retained by and secured to the first member and preferably is retained by means of a slight compression thereof. To this end, the first section of the second member has its upper and lower portions engaged by the first member. Conveniently, this is accomplished by engaging means located at a lower portion of the first section and which engaging means seat on the lower support element of the first member while an upper portion is retained within a channel formed at an upper portion of the vertical section of the first member.  
         [0014]     The fascia system of the present invention would typically be manufactured from a sheet metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy which can easily be formed into various configurations by known methods. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use other materials such as a plastic material which could be extruded or otherwise formed into the desired configurations.  
         [0015]     As aforementioned, the fascia system includes a first member and a second member, the first member being secured to the building structure and being designed to support the second member in a desired position.  
         [0016]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first member has an upper section which is designed for securement to the roof; the upper section would conventionally be secured to the top of the sheet material attached to the rafters—i.e. plywood or other composite products. The means of securing may be any conventional including adhesives and/or mechanical securement means such as nails and screws.  
         [0017]     The upper section preferably includes a first portion which is secured to the roof as aforementioned and a second portion which will extend outwardly from the roof edge and which second portion is slightly angled with respect to the first portion. It is the second portion which will terminate in a drip edge.  
         [0018]     There is also provided a lower section which includes a generally vertically extending portion designed to lie adjacent the fascia&#39;s structure. A transition section extends between the drip edge and the vertically extending portion. In this respect, from the drip edge, there is preferably provided a segment which extends upwardly to thereby define the drip edge and which will then extend downwardly to the generally vertically extending portion.  
         [0019]     The generally vertically extending portion will have a first cooperative locking means associated therewith. Although many such cooperative locking means can be envisaged, one of the simpler structures will include a formed hook and recess engagement as will be discussed hereinbelow.  
         [0020]     The second member is the portion which covers the fascia. At the upper end, the second member is provided with a second cooperative locking means designed to engage with the first cooperative locking means. Conveniently, as aforementioned, this may be provided by a plurality of hooks or projections extending outwardly from the second member and which are designed to engage within recesses or other supports of the first cooperative locking means. An advantage of such an arrangement is that they may easily be provided by conventional metal forming equipment well known in the art.  
         [0021]     Preferably, the first and second cooperative locking means are adjustable with respect to each other such that they may be engaged in different positions. By so doing, a arrangement is provided for differing fascia heights.  
         [0022]     The second member, as aforementioned, actually forms or covers the fascia and as such, is substantially plainer in nature although certain embossing or spacing projections may be provided as will be discussed with respect to the preferred embodiment.  
         [0023]     At the lower end, the second member is provided with an inwardly extending portion which is designed to abut the soffit structure of the building. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the lower portion of the second member is formed to have a recess at a lower extremity defined by the lower portion of the vertically extending wall and the inwardly extending portion. This recess may be utilized to accommodate a tensioning member which is secured to the roof structure and which engages the lower portion of the second member. To this end, the tensioning member will, as aforementioned, be secured to the roof structure and have a downwardly extending portion designed to seat within the aforesaid recess. Preferably, the tensioning member has a certain resilience and to this end, may be provided with a sinusoidal portion to provide the desired resiliency.  
         [0024]     The soffit structure S is preferably that shown and described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/780,193, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, it will be appreciated that other structures might be employed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the support structure for a soffit in conjunction with a soffit and a fascia system;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view thereof;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the first member of the support structure;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view thereof;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side-sectional view of the second member of the soffit support; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view thereof;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  with the structural components of the housing structure being removed and showing the adjustability of the system;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the upper member of the fascia system;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view thereof;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the lower member of the fascia system according to the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view thereof;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is side elevational view of a tensioning member which can be utilized in the fascia system of the present invention; and  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     The fascia and soffit system of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  10  and includes a fascia component generally designated by reference numeral  110 , a soffit structure generally designated by reference numeral  12  and a soffit support component generally designated by reference numeral  15 .  
         [0040]     The soffit support component of the present invention includes a first member generally designated by reference numeral  14  ( FIG. 3 ). First member  14  has a vertical wall section  16  which, at its upper end, terminates in an upper bight  18 . Extending downwardly from upper bight  18  is a second vertical section  20  which likewise terminates in a lower bight  22 . As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , a channel  17  is thus formed between sections  16  and  20 . Channel  17  has an inwardly tapered configuration.  
         [0041]     From lower bight  22 , first member  14  has an upwardly extending section  24  which terminates in a horizontal section  26 .  
         [0042]     As may be best seen in  FIG. 3 , at the lower end of vertical wall section  16 , there is provided a flange  28  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.  
         [0043]     A second member of the soffit support is generally designated by reference numeral  30  and includes a second member central section  32  having an upper bight  34 . As may be best seen in  FIG. 5 , tabs  36  are formed within central section  32  and extend rearwardly thereof.  
         [0044]     At the lower end of central section  32 , there is provided an arcuate section generally designated by reference numeral  38  and which in turn continues as a diagonally extending side wall generally designated by reference numeral  40 . Side wall  40  terminates in a horizontal section  42  which in turn continues as an inwardly turned horizontal section  46  through bight  44 .  
         [0045]     In use, first member  14  is suitably secured to a structure either by a means of vertical section  16  or horizontal section  26  by suitable means (not shown). Subsequently, central section  32  of second member  30  is inserted in channel  17  with tabs  36  resting on flange  28 . Naturally, flange  28  could be angled upwardly to better engage tabs  36 . The sizing is such that the top of central section  32  is frictionally engaged within channel  17  and securely held thereby. A downwardly extending pressure is put on tabs  36 .  
         [0046]     In so doing, soffit  12  is then supported by the horizontal sections  42  and  46 .  
         [0047]     The fascia component of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  110  and includes a first upper member designated by reference numeral  112  and which will now be referred to.  
         [0048]     First upper member  112  includes a first upper section generally designated by reference numeral  111  and which includes a planar portion  114  which is designed to lie adjacent to a roof structure R such as is employed in a conventional house. In this respect, it will be understood that under normal circumstances, planar portion  114  will lie on the roof under the shingles or other similar roof covering.  
         [0049]     From planar portion  114 , upper section  111  includes a downwardly inclined portion  116  which is angled with respect to planar portion  114  and which terminates in a drip edge  118 .  
         [0050]     From drip edge  118 , first upper member  112  has a transition section  115  comprising an upwardly and inwardly extending portion  120  which ensures the proper formation of the drip edge  118 . Subsequently, there is provided a second downwardly inclined portion  122  which terminates in a lower section which comprises an outer vertical wall  124 . The material forming first upper member  112  then is folded to have an inner vertical wall  126  which is formed with a plurality of recesses  128 .  
         [0051]     A second lower member generally designated by reference numeral  130  has an upper portion  132  with a plurality of hook-shaped projections  34  formed therein.  
         [0052]     Second lower member  130  also includes a main planar portion generally designated by reference numeral  136  and which has formed therein a plurality of spacer projections  138 . At its lower end, second lower member  130  has an inwardly extending flange portion generally designated by reference numeral  140 . Inwardly extending flange portion  140  has a first horizontal section  142  which joins an arcuately upwardly concave portion  144 . There is thus formed a cavity generally designed by reference numeral  145 . At the end of arcuate section  144 , there is provided a diagonally upwardly extending section  146  which terminates in a horizontal end portion  148 .  
         [0053]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , there is also provided a spacer and tensioning member  150 . Spacer and tensioning member  150  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes an upper planar portion  152 , and a sinuous spring section generally designated by reference numeral  154  and which includes a plurality of arcuate sections in an overall S-shaped configuration. Sinuous section  154  terminates in a bottom section generally designated by reference numeral  156  and which is designed to seat within cavity  145 .  
         [0054]     In use, and referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , first member  12  is installed in a position on roof R with planar portion  114  being secured thereto by suitable means (not shown). This thus provides a drip edge  118  with vertical portions  124  and  126  lying parallel to a fascia board F.  
         [0055]     Spacer and tensioning member  150  may then be secured in the position to fascia board F and subsequently, second member  130  is hung in a position and supported by first member  112 . In this regard, hook shaped projections  134  are engaged within recesses  128  of first member  112 . Spacer and tensioning member  150  seats within cavity or a pocket  145  of second member  130  and maintains a tension on second member  130  to ensure hook shaped projections  134  remain engaged within recesses  128 . Inwardly extending flange portion  140  is arranged to engage a soffit S and support one edge thereof.  
         [0056]     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the structure of the present invention provides for adjustability. Thus, a first member  112  may assume different positions depending upon the particular engagement of projections  134  with recesses  128 .  
         [0057]     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from spirit and scope of the invention.