Vented eaves closure

• US 20030005649A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boral Lifetile, Inc. (Seven Group Holdings Limited), Monier (Standard Industries Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Boral Lifetile, Inc. (Seven Group Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Austin, Kevin, Vandewater, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/94
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/004 Protection against birds, mice or the like scaring devices for birds in general A01M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/178 on the eaves of the roof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49623 Static structure, e.g., a building component

Abstract

A method is provided for installing a ventilated eaves closure and tile support apparatus along the eaves of a roof. A vented eaves closure apparatus is disposed along the eaves to support the first course of roof tiles at a desired pitch. The apparatus provides support, ventilation, and drainage, while also providing a barrier to wind-driven precipitation, bird nesting, and animal invasion. The apparatus includes an array of openings configured to allow drainage and facilitate the flow of air beneath the tiles and throughout the air space between the roof deck and the tiles. The method and apparatus can be adapted to fit a variety of roof types and roof tiles having different sizes, shapes, and profiles.

Claims

1. An eaves closure system for a tile roof, the tile roof characterized by a roof decking, an eaves, and a first course of roof tiles along said eaves, said eaves closure system comprising:

a vented eaves closure having a base adjacent said eaves and a riser faç

ade extending upwardly from said base and having sufficient height to support said first course at a desired pitch; and

an array of openings through said vented eaves closure configured to permit drainage and promote ventilation through said eaves closure system.

2. The eaves closure system of claim 1, wherein said roof tiles are characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile,

wherein said riser faç

ade is sized and shaped to fill a space defined by said eaves and said bottom profile.

3. The eaves closure system of claim 1, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a rim disposed along a top edge of said riser faç

ade.

4. The eaves closure system of claim 1, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a rear riser extending from a top edge of said riser faç

ade toward said base.

5. The eaves closure system of claim 4, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a skirt extending from said rear riser in a direction generally parallel to said base.

6. The eaves closure system of claim 1, wherein said array of openings pass through said riser faç

ade only.

7. The eaves closure system of claim 1, wherein said vented eaves closure is constructed of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

8. A vented eaves closure for a first course of roof tiles along an eaves of a roof, comprising:

a base adjacent said eaves;

a riser faç

ade extending upwardly from said base and having sufficient height to support said first course at a desired pitch; and

an array of openings configured to permit drainage and promote ventilation through said vented eaves closure.

9. The vented eaves closure of claim 8, wherein said roof tiles are characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile, wherein said riser faç

ade is sized and shaped to fill a space defined by said eaves and said bottom profile.

10. The vented eaves closure of claim 8, further comprising a rim disposed along a top edge of said riser faç

ade.

11. The vented eaves closure of claim 8, further comprising a rear riser extending from a top edge of said riser faç

ade toward said base.

12. The vented eaves closure of claim 11, further comprising a skirt extending from said rear riser in a direction generally parallel to said base.

13. The vented eaves closure of claim 8, wherein said array of openings pass through said riser faç

ade only.

14. The vented eaves closure of claim 8, wherein said vented eaves closure is constructed of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

forming said vented eaves closure from a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said roof tiles are characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile, further comprising:

selecting said vented eaves closure from a plurality of stock closures such that said riser faç

ade is sized and shaped to fill a space defined by said eaves and said bottom profile.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said roof tiles are characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile, further comprising:

shaping said riser faç

ade until its size and shape will fill a space defined by said eaves and said bottom profile.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said roof tiles are characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile, further comprising:

selecting said vented eaves closure from a plurality of stock closures, each having a blank riser faç

ade; and

shaping said blank riser faç

ade until its size and shape will fill a space defined by said eaves and said bottom profile.

15. A method for providing ventilation and closure to a tile roof, the tile roof characterized by a roof decking, an eaves, and a first course of roof tiles along said eaves, said method comprising:

providing a vented eaves closure having a base, a riser faç

ade extending upwardly from said base and having sufficient height to support said first course at a desired pitch, and an array of openings configured to permit drainage and promote ventilation through said vented eaves closure;

attaching said base to said roof decking adjacent said eaves; and

laying said first course atop said vented eaves closure.

20. A tile roof ventilation system, the tile roof characterized by a roof decking, an eaves, and a peak, said ventilation system comprising:

a plurality of partially overlapping roof tiles, each having a top surface and a bottom profile;

an eaves closure installed adjacent said eaves and having a base and a riser extending upwardly from said base to said bottom profile;

a cavity defined by said roof decking, said roof tiles, said eaves closure, and said peak; and

an array of openings through said eaves closure sized and shaped to promote a circulation of air within said cavity.

21. The ventilation system of claim 20, further comprising an air mover positioned to draw air through said cavity.

22. The ventilation system of claim 20, further comprising an array of vents through said roof decking positioned at intervals to promote a circulation of air beneath said cavity.

23. The ventilation system of claim 20, wherein said eaves closure is constructed of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said sheet comprises a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

creating an array of openings through said sheet at one or more locations such that said eaves closure after said bending will permit drainage and promote ventilation through said eaves closure.

28. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a groove along said upper edge sized and shaped to receive said tongue area.

29. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said profiled area further comprises a rim disposed along a top edge of said profiled area.

30. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a rear riser extending from said upper edge toward said base.

31. The eaves closure system of claim 30, wherein said vented eaves closure further comprises a skirt extending from said rear riser in a direction generally parallel to said base.

32. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said array of openings pass through said riser faç

ade only.

33. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said array of openings pass through said vented eaves closure only.

34. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said vented profiled filler is constructed of a solid material.

35. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said vented eaves closure is constructed of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

36. The eaves closure system of claim 27, wherein said vented profiled filler is constructed of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said vented profiled filler is constructed of a solid material.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

constructing said vented eaves closure of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

constructing said vented profiled filler of a material having a regular and repeating pattern of openings therethrough.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of connecting said vented profiled filler to said vented eaves closure comprises:

providing a groove along said upper edge sized and shaped to receive a portion of said vented profiled filler; and

inserting vented profiled filler into said groove.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

shaping said vented profiled filler until its size and shape will fill a space defined by said upper edge and said bottom profile.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

selecting said vented profiled filler from a plurality of stock fillers having a blank profile; and

shaping said blank profile until the size and shape of said vented profiled filler will fill a space defined by said upper edge and said bottom profile.

24. A method of fabricating an eaves closure for a tile roof, the tile roof characterized by a roof decking, an eaves, and a first course of roof tiles along said eaves, said method comprising:

selecting a sheet of material having sufficient strength to support said first course of roof tiles and sufficient ductility to withstand bending;

treating said sheet to improve its resistance to corrosion in the expected use environment;

cutting a portion from said sheet according to a pattern, said pattern sized and shaped to encompass said eaves closure; and

bending one or more segments of said portion according to said pattern.

27. A eaves closure system for a first course of roof tiles along an eaves of a roof, the roof tiles characterized by a top surface and a bottom profile, said eaves closure system comprising:

a vented eaves closure comprising a base and a riser faç

ade extending upwardly from said base to an upper edge;

a vented profiled filler comprising a tongue area configured to connect to said vented eaves closure and a profiled area sized and shaped to fill a space defined by said upper edge and said bottom profile; and

an array of openings to permit drainage and promote ventilation through said eaves closure system.

37. A method for providing ventilation and closure to a tile roof, the tile roof characterized by a roof decking, an eaves, and a first course of roof tiles along said eaves, said method comprising:

providing a vented eaves closure having a base, a riser faç

ade extending upwardly from said base to an upper edge, and an array of openings to permit drainage and promote ventilation through said vented eaves closure;

providing a vented profiled filler sized and shaped to fill a space defined by said upper edge and said bottom profile;

attaching said base to said roof decking adjacent said eaves;

connecting said vented profiled filler to said vented eaves closure; and

laying said first course atop said vented eaves closure.