SOFFIT STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE DE SOFFITE

English Abstract

A soffit structure which is a sheet member having an upper surface and bottom
surface with a plurality of channels formed in the sheet members, the channels
extending inwardly from the bottom surface and being defined by at least a
pair of
opposed side walls, with apertures formed in the side walls. The side walls
are
preferably angled slightly to provide a greater degree of protection for the
apertures
formed therein.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is
claimed is defined as follows:
1. A soffit structure comprising:
a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein said
upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a building and
the
bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building;
a plurality of channels formed is said sheet member, said channels extending
inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel having a pair of
opposed side
walls, said at least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at
least one of
said side walls.
2. The soffit structure of Claim 1 wherein each of said channels has a pair of
opposed side walls, each of said channels having apertures formed in at least
one of
said side walls.
3. The soffit structure of Claim 2 wherein all of said side walls have
apertures
formed therein.
4. The soffit structure of Claim 1 wherein said at least one channel has a
generally
U-shaped configuration with a base portion extending between said side walls,
each of
said side walls extending inwardly and rearwardly to form an angle of between
75°
and 88° with respect to said upper surface.
5. The soffit structure of Claim 1 wherein all of said channels have a
generally
U-shaped configuration comprised of a pair of opposed side walls and a bottom,
each
of said side walls extending inwardly and rearwardly at an angle of between
75° and
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88° with respect to said upper surface, all of said walls having a
plurality of apertures
formed therein.
6. The soffit structure of Claim 1 wherein said channels each have a generally
U-
shaped configuration.
7. The soffit structure of Claim 1 wherein said sheet member is formed of a
metallic material.
8. The soffit structure of Claim 3 wherein said metallic material is aluminum.
9. The soffit structure of claim 5 wherein said channels extend transversely
of
said sheet member.

Description

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SOFFIT STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a soffit structure and more particularly,
relates to
a novel soffit structure having vent means therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of soffit structures to provide ventilation to an attic or under the
roof area
is well known in the art. Thus, it has been known for years that ventilation
of a space
underneath a roof is necessary both during the summer and winter seasons.
During the
summer, if this area is not ventilated, the solar energy captured by the roof
would generate
excessive temperatures in the space. This will cause damage to many roofing
materials
and as well, would increase air-conditioning cost for the area below.
In winter, it is also required to ventilate the area since warm moist air
escaping
from heated areas below would, upon contact with the cold structural members,
condense.
This moisture would eventually lead to structural damage of wood components
and can
also cause dripping into the area below.
Generally, the area to be ventilated will comprise two different types of
areas.
Thus, in many sloping roof arrangements, there is provided a substantial open
area,
commonly called an attic, between the ceiling of the structure and the roof.
In such an
arrangement, different types of venting may be provided. One arrangement
provides for
a continuous vent along the ridge of the roof in conjunction with soffit
vents. This is
ideally arranged to create an air flow from the soffit through the ridge vent.
Alternatively,
various other types of vents may be provided in the end walls of the attic or
in the roof

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itself. In all instances, the purpose is to provide a controlled airflow
through the attic
area.
In the case of cathedral ceilings, the airflow is typically between the
rafters,
extending from the soffit to an upper vent.
Generally soffits comprise a piece of sheet metal or other material through
which
apertures have been formed. While such soffits are widely accepted, they can,
under
certain conditions, permit the flow of precipitation upwardly through the
apertures.
Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal of such soffits is limited.
SLTMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a soffit structure which
is both
aesthetically attractive and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soffit
structure comprising a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom
surface
wherein the upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a
building and
the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building, a plurality of
channels formed in
the sheet member, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface, at
least one
of the channels having a pair of opposed side walls, the at least one channel
having a
plurality of apertures formed in at least one of the side walls thereof.
The soffit system of the present invention may be used in any suitable
building
structure with residential housing being the most common type of building
structure
which uses soffit ventilation. The soffit is traditionally manufactured of a
formed
metal although it is also known in the art to use plastic soffit. It sufficies
to say that
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any suitable material may be utilized in the practice of the present
invention.
The channels are formed in the soffit by any suitable means, depending upon
the material. Thus, using a metallic material such as aluminum, known forming
equipment can easily form the channels. The channels preferably have a
generally U-
shaped configuration although it is even more preferred that the walls of the
channels
be angled such that they form an angle of between 75° and 88°
with respect to the
upper surface of the soffit. In other words, the base of the channel is
slightly larger
than the opening.
In the preferred embodiment, all the channels are provided with apertures
although it will be understood that only some of the channels may be provided
with
the apertures depending upon the degree of ventilation required. Similarly, it
is
preferred that the apertures be formed in both side walls of the recess.
However, it
will again be understood that only one of the walls may be provided with such
apertures.
Preferably, the apertures are sufficiently numerous and are of a size to meet
the
ventilation standards set in the building industry. Such standards are well
known in
the art. Generally, the apertures would arrange between 12 and 16 mm. The
number
of rows in each standard piece will vary depending upon the ventilation
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure I is a perspective view of a portion of a soffit structure according to
one

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embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the soffit when used in a facia
system.
Referring to the figures in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated a soffit structure which is generally designated by
reference
numeral 10.
Soffit structure 10 has a generally planar body 12 which has an upper surface
14 and a bottom surface 16. Formed in generally planar central body portion 12
are
a plurality of generally U-shaped channels generally designated by reference
numeral 18.
Each channel 18, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pair of opposed side
walls
20, 22 which are connected by a bottom wall 24. As may best seen in Figure 2,
each
side wall 20 and 22 is angled slightly so as to form an angle of approximately
85°
between upper surface 12 and a respective side wall as indicated by angle 26.
In order to provide the ventilation, apertures 28 are provided in each of the
walls 20 and 22.
In use, the soffit may be attached by conventional means such as mechanical
fasteners or the like. However, it is preferred that the same be used in a
system
wherein it is supported at one edge by a facia support member 30 and a second
support
member 32 which is secured to the wall structure of the building.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modif cations may be made thereto
without
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departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Representative Drawing