Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02725300 2010-12-14
UNITARY FASCIA AND GUTTER
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to roof structures and more particularly to
fascia
and gutters of roof structures.
BACKGROUND
A typical residential gable roof structure has roof decks of a predetermined
pitch
covered with shingles. A common configuration at the bottom edge portion of
the roof
structure is an overhang forming soffits. A vertical fascia board Is usually
installed at
the end of the overhang to cover ends of roof rafters and to provide a
pleasing
architectural appearance. It also is common for rain gutters to be Installed
along the
fascia. The shingles of the roof deck overlap the fascia and partially
overhang the
gutters so that the gutters collect rainwater from the roof and direct it to
downspouts that
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deliver the water to a designated location for drainage. In the past, gutters
made of
aluminum, copper, plastic, or other material have been fabricated separately,
either on
site or at an off site facility, and installed with fasteners to the fascia
boards of a roof
structure. While this is functional, it nevertheless has certain Inherent
problems. For
example, the fabrication of custom gutters from metal is time consuming,
expensive,
and requires a high degree of specialized skill. The installation of the
gutters also
requires particular skill. Further, once the gutters are Installed, they can
leak water,
especially after years of use, and these leaks commonly lead to rotting of the
fascia
boards and underlying wooden structures. This condition usually requires that
the
gutters and fascia be removed and replaced with new gutters and fascia. A need
thus
exists for a fascia and rain gutter system that Is simple and efficient to
install, that
requires a lower degree of expertise and skill, that eliminates fascia rotting
leaks, and
that is economic and architecturally pleasing. It is to the provision of such
a gutter
system that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY
Briefly described, a unitary fascia and gutter is extruded from plastic or a
composite material in predetermined lengths. The fascia and gutter Is profiled
to define
a substantially flat fascia portion sized to cover the rafter ends along the
edge of a roof.
A gutter portion of the fascia and gutter is unitarily extruded with the
fascia portion and
extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom so that the gutter and the fascia
together
bound and define a gutter trough. The gutter portion preferably has an
exterior profile
that mimics that of traditional metal gutters, or it may have a unique and
different profile
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If desired. The fascia and gutter Is Installed along the edge of a roof
structure with
fasteners that extend through the fascia portion and into the ends of the roof
rafters.
When so installed, both the fascia of the roof and the gutters are applied
simultaneously. Further, the Installation requires a significantly lower skill
level and
significantly less time than prior art separate fascia and gutters. No
separate fabrication
and installation of gutters is required and the problems associated with
leaking gutters
and consequent rotting fascia boards Is eliminated. At corners, the fascia and
gutter
can simply be mitered and welded together by, for example, heat welding or
sonic
welding forming a unitary and leak proof corner. These and other features and
advantages of the disclosed fascia and gutter will become more apparent upon
review
of the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing figures, which are briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. I is a sectional view of the edge portion of a roof structure
illustrating an
installed fascia and gutter according to the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the fascia and gutter of this
disclosure
illustrating one particular embodiment thereof.
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the fascia and gutter of this disclosure
illustrating two
lengths welded together at a corner to form a leak-proof joint.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, wherein like numerals
refer
to like parts throughout the several views, Fig. I is a sectional view of a
roof structure
11 constructed with a sloped roof 12 having rafters 13, a roof deck 14, and
shingles 16
overlying the roof deck. The rafters 13 rest on the top plate of a wall 21
and, in the
illustrated structure, ceiling joists 19 define an Interior ceiling of the
structure. The
rafters 13 overhang the wall 21 and extend to rafter ends 18, which are cut at
an angle
to define aligned substantially vertical ends. The overhanging portion of the
rafters and
roof 12 define a soffit 22 In a traditional manner. While a traditional gable
roof with
ceiling joists, an overhang, and a soffit have been illustrated in Fig. 1, it
should be
understood that this is not a limitation of the invention and that the
invention may be
used with other and varying types of roofs and roof structures. For example,
the
invention may be used with a roof structure that does not overhang walls to
define
soffits but instead is substantially flush with the exterior walls of a
building.
A unitary fascia and gutter 23 according to the present disclosure is secured
to
and extends along and covers the ends 18 of the roof rafters 13. The fascia
and gutter
23 comprises a fascia portion 24, which is formed with a substantially flat
configuration
and has a width corresponding to the width of a traditional fascia board. The
thickness
of the fascia portion 24 also may be about the same as that of a traditional
fascia board,
although it also may be thicker or thinner depending upon application dictated
requirements. Fasteners 28 are driven through the fascia portion 24 and into
the ends
18 of the rafters 13 to secure the fascia and gutter in place as shown. The
fasteners
may be nails, screws, staples, or any other fastener appropriate for securing
the fascia
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portion to the rafter ends 18. When secured along the ends of the rafters as
shown, the
fascia portion 24 mimics the appearance of a traditional fascia board that
otherwise
might be attached to define the fascia of the roof edge.
A gutter portion 26 of the fascia and gutter 23 Is formed unitarily with the
fascia
portion and extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom. More specifically, the
gutter
portion 26 extends outwardly from near the bottom edge of the fascia portion
24 and
then upwardly to a lip 33. The exterior profile of the gutter portion 26 may
be shaped to
mimic the profile of a traditional metal gutter as illustrated in Fig. 1, or,
alternatively, It
may be formed with other and distinct shapes as desired or needed. In any
event, the
gutter portion 26 In conjunction with the fascia portion 24 bounds and defines
a gutter
trough 27 shaped to contain rainwater and direct it to a drainage location.
The shingles
16 of the roof 12 preferably overhang the top edge of the fascia portion 18 as
Illustrated
In Fig. 1 so that rainwater flowing down the roof is directed into the gutter
trough 27,
where it is contained in the trough 27 by the fascia portion defining the back
of the
trough and the gutter portion defining the front of the trough. One or more
downspouts
29 may be secured to a corresponding opening formed through the bottom of the
gutter
trough to receive rainwater from within the trough and direct it downwardly to
be drained
away from the building.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of one possible embodiment of the fascia and
gutter of this disclosure. As mentioned above, the unitary fascia and gutter
23 Is formed
with a fascia portion 24 and a gutter portion 26. More specifically, the
fascia and gutter
23 preferably is formed by extrusion of an material appropriate to lend
strength,
durability, and appearance to the unitary fascia and gutter. Such materials
might
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Include, for example, a plastic material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), a
composite
material such as a plastic with organic or inorganic fillers, or another
appropriate
material. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, the fascia and gutter 23 is
extruded of
a plastic material with a relatively less dense foamed plastic core 31
surrounded by a
relatively more dense plastic skin 32. This configuration Is lightweight,
makes efficient
use of materials, and provides for a durable exterior surface. that mimics the
look of
traditional metal gutters. Further, the fascia and gutter can be extruded of
plastics
having a variety of colors to match various architectures and decoration
schemes, and,
unlike metal gutters, the color Is indelible and scratch proof,
The unitary fascia and gutter of this disclosure offers additional advantages
when
two lengths are joined at a corner of the roof, where traditional metal
gutters sometimes
are joined in an unsightly manner or have a tendency to leak. Fig. 3
illustrates first and
second lengths of the fascia and gutter of this disclosure meeting at a right
angle and
joined together as they would be at a corner of a roof. More specifically,
each length Is
mitered at its end, in this case at forty-five degrees. The mitered ends are
then
thermally welded together along joint 34 to form a watertight, strong, and
unitary
connection between the lengths of fascia and gutter. The ends may be welded In
any
acceptable manner such as, for Instance, with a heated welding plate, plastic
welding
rods, a sonic welder, or the like. In any event, the joint between the two
meeting
lengths is superior to traditional corner joints where metal gutters are
joined because it
is stronger and substantially leak proof and the gutter trough 27 extends
unobstructed
around the corner of the roof.
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The Invention has been described herein in terms of preferred embodiments and
methodologies that represent the best mode known to the inventor of carrying
out the
invention. However, numerous modifications, additions, and deletions might be
made to
the illustrated embodiments within the scope of the invention. For example,
the
particular shape of the gutter portion and/or the fascia portion can be
different from that
illustrated In the preferred embodiments. Further, the fascia and gutter may
be formed
by methods other than extrusion and may be fabricated of any material with the
.
appropriate strength and durability to withstand stresses encountered in use.
In
addition, the fascia and gutter may be fabricated with the gutter portion
extending at a
slight angle with respect to the fascia portion so that, when installed, water
will tend to
run toward one end of the gutter portion for draining out through a downspout.
In fact,
lengths of the fascia and gutter may be formed with gutter portions that slope
at
opposite angles or that are higher or lower on the fascia portion so that long
runs of
fascia and gutter can be connected end to end while maintaining the slope of
the gutter
portion or to provide a slope in either direction. These and other
modifications and
additions might well be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing
from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth In the claims.
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