SPECIFICATION

SOFFIT ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to building construction materials and to devices and assemblies that are used in the art of building construction. More particularly, this invention relates to a soffit assembly that includes a number of prefabricated elements, each of which can be quickly and easily assembled with other elements to construct a soffit for an existing structure or for a structure of new construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the experience of this inventor, one goal that must be met in order to complete the construction of a residential or commercial building is that all portions of the building must be covered or protected from the elements. Without such protection, for example, the wood framing of such a building may be unnecessarily exposed to the elements, thereby resulting in a premature failure of that framing and necessitating the replacement of it. Another usually necessary goal is that all portions of the building be covered in such a way that the resulting structure is aesthetically pleasing to viewers of the building. To meet each of these goals, the builder must make certain basic construction choices. For example, the roof of the building is typically covered with shingles of various types, the exterior of the building side walls are similarly covered with a siding of some sort, and building openings, such as doors and windows, are trimmed out. The portion of the building where the roof meets the side walls is, however, an often challenging transition point at which it is also necessary to provide a continuum of protection from the elements. This continuum effectively "wraps around" the contour of the roof edge and extends from the covered roof to the covered side walls. Where the building has a marginal portion of its roof edge over-hanging the side walls, a vertically- projecting surface and a horizontally-projecting surface are provided which structurally tie the fascia of that roof portion to the underside of the overhang and then to the side

walls. In the building arts, it is not only necessary to properly cover this portion of the building for the reasons cited above, but it is also desirable to do so in a relatively quick and easy fashion so as to minimize the amount of time that workers must spend in fabricating the elements required.

Another reality relative to building construction is that one size of a given piece of building material does not necessarily fit all buildings. That is, the vertically-projecting fascia portion and the horizontally-projecting fascia portion may be fabricated each in one size, which size cannot effectively be used with buildings that are differently dimensioned. Yet another factor to be considered is that certain climates tend to introduce "creep" into longitudinally-extending pieces of building material where the freeze-thaw cycle results in a contraction and expansion of the pieces in relation to other pieces or parts of the building. This type of movement can result in building surfaces not being properly or completely protected from the elements, an unacceptable condition as discussed earlier. Accordingly, what is needed is a soffit assembly that includes a number of prefabricated elements that are capable of inter-engagement with one another to protect the roof-edges of a building. Such an assembly would include elements that are configured such that the elements securely engage adjacent elements to form a soffit assembly continuum. The assembly should be capable of use with buildings having different configurations and different dimensions. It should also be capable of use with buildings of new construction and with buildings that are being rehabilitated. What is also needed is such a soffit assembly whereby some limited movement of adjacent members is provided for without complete disengagement of those members. The assembly that is needed should also be easy to use so as to allow for quick and easy installation of the assembly elements, and to allow for installation of them in such a way that does not require the use of many extra fasteners or tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a new, useful, and uncomplicated soffit assembly that includes a number of prefabricated assembly pieces that are capable of inter-engagement to protect the roof-edges of a building. It is another object of this invention to provide such an assembly that includes assembly pieces that are configured such that the pieces securely engage adjacent pieces to form

a complete soffit assembly. It is yet another object of this invention to provide such an assembly that is capable of use with buildings having different configurations and different dimensions, and in cases where the building is new construction or otherwise. It is still another object of this invention to provide such a soffit assembly whereby some limited movement of adjacent pieces is provided for without complete disengagement of them. It is still another object of this invention to provide a soffit assembly that includes a minimal number of pieces and requires a minimum number of steps to use, thus making it quickly and easily assembled.

The assembly of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for an assembly that includes one or more roof attachment pieces, one or more fascia pieces, one or more side wall attachment pieces, and one or more soffit pieces. The assembly also includes other pieces for joining various of the previously-mentioned pieces together with like pieces. By way of example, the assembly includes a fascia joint, a corner joint, and a soffit joint. In general terms, the roof attachment pieces are securable to the lower edge portion of a downwardly-sloping roof and to the roof edge fascia. Each fascia piece is securable to the roof attachment piece without the use of extra fasteners. One of two different side wall attachment pieces is used depending on the application, each piece being secured to or adjacent to a building side wall. The soffit pieces are slidably receivable by and securable to the fascia pieces and to the side wall attachment pieces.

The foregoing and other features of the assembly of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of each member or piece used in the soffit assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of the roof attachment member of the soffit assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 2B is a side elevational view of the roof attachment member shown in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is a bottom plan view of the roof attachment member shown in Fig. 2A. Fig. 2D is a rear elevational view of the roof attachment member shown in Fig. 2A.

" ^" Fig. ^' 3Α ^* is" an eήla'fged'pe'rs|i>ective view of the fascia member of the soffit assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 3B is a side elevational view of the fascia member shown in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C is a bottom plan view of the fascia member shown in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3D is a rear elevational view of the fascia member shown in Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment of a side wall attachment member of the soffit assembly of the present invention, such member being used in new construction applications.

Fig. 4B is a side elevational view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 4C is a bottom plan view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 4D is a rear elevational view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig. 4A. Fig. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of the second embodiment of a side wall attachment member of the soffit assembly of the present invention, such member being used in applications other than new construction.

Fig. 5B is a side elevational view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a bottom plan view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig.

5A.

Fig. 5D is a rear elevational view of the side wall attachment member shown in Fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the soffit member of the soffit assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 6B is a front elevational view of the soffit member shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C is a bottom plan view of the soffit member shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6D is a side elevational view of a joint between a pair of adjacent soffit members of the type illustrated in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6E is a cross-sectioned view of the soffit members shown in Fig. 6D.

Fig. 6F is an enlarged view of the joint shown in Fig. 6E. Fig. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of a fascia joint used in the soffit assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a top plan view of the fascia joint shown in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 7D is a rear elevational view of the fascia joint shown in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A is a first enlarged perspective view of a corner joint used in the soffit assembly of the present invention. Fig. 8B is a top plan view of the corner joint shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a side elevational view of the corner joint shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8D is a second enlarged perspective view of the corner joint shown in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of a soffit member joint used in the soffit assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9B is a front elevational view of the soffit member joint shown in Fig. 9A.

Fig. 9C is a bottom plan view of the soffit member joint shown in Fig. 9A.

Fig. 9D is a side elevational view of the soffit member joint shown in Fig. 9A.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the soffit assembly showing the various members or pieces connected together as intended.

Figs. 11 A and 11 B are perspective views of the fascia joint shown used with a pair of fascia members.

Figs. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the corner joint shown used with a pair of fascia members. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of three soffit members, each being formed of a different width.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements as well, Fig. 1 illustrates the individual members used in the soffit assembly, generally identified 10, that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1 , the assembly 10 includes at least one roof attachment member 20, at least one fascia member 30, at least one of two different types of side wall attachment members 40, 50, at least one soffit member 60. The assembly 10 also includes other elements for joining various of the previously-mentioned members together with like members. For example, the assembly 10 includes a fascia joint member 70, a corner joint member 80, and a soffit joint member 90. In general application, it is to be understood that the roof attachment member 20 is securable to the lower edge portion of a downwardly-sloping roof and to the roof edge fascia (not shown).

The fascia member ^" 30 is seciϊrabϊe to the roof attachment member 20. One of the two side wall attachment members 40, 50 is secured either to a building side wall (not shown) in the case of new construction or to an existing soffit (also not shown) in the case of a remodeling project, respectively. The soffit member 60 is securable to the fascia member 30 and to the side wall attachment members 40, 50, depending on which is used. This assembly scheme will be discussed in more detail later in this description and following the full disclosure of the discrete elements of each of the assembly members referenced above.

Referring now to Figs. 2A to 2D, the roof attachment member 20 is shown in much greater detail. As shown, the roof attachment member 20 includes a longitudinally-extending lower vertical portion 21 and a longitudinally- extending upper vertical portion 23, such vertical portions 21 , 23 being hingedly attached at a longitudinally-extending joint 25. The lower vertical portion 21 includes a rearwardly- facing surface 22. Similarly, the upper vertical portion 23 includes a rearwardly-facing surface 24. The rearwardly-facing portion 22 of the lower vertical portion 21 is functionally adapted to be secured to the fascia portion of a roof (not shown) by means of fasteners, such as nails (also not shown), that are driven through openings 26 defined in it. Similarly, the rearwardly-facing portion 24 of the upper vertical portion 23 is functionally adapted to be secured to the lowermost sloped portion of a roof (not shown) by means of fasteners, such as nails (also not shown), that are driven through openings 27 defined in it. Since the joint 25 allows for a wide range of movement of the vertical portions 21 , 23 relative to one another, the slope of the roof (not shown) is not a factor in the application of the roof attachment member 20 in this fashion. Forwardly of the joint 25 is a longitudinally-extending and downwardly-sloped portion 28. This sloped portion 28 includes a receiver portion 29 that is disposed under it. The purpose of the receiver portion 29 is to receive a portion of the fascia member 30, as will become more apparent shortly.

Referring to Figs. 3A to 3D, the fascia member 30 is similarly shown in greater detail. As shown, the fascia member 30 is also a longitudinally-extending member having a vertical fascia portion 31 , the outer surface 32 of which is observable from outside the building to which it is applied (not shown). The vertical fascia portion 31 also has an inner surface 34 which lies adjacent the roof edge fascia (not shown) of the building. At the uppermost edge of the vertical fascia portion 31 is an engagement lip 33. It is this fascia engagement lip 33 that is receivable within the receiver portion 29 of

. i / yS • ^■ - ¹ - ¹ ! the roof attacnmenrmerriber 20 which was discussed earlier. Opposite the engagement lip 33 and being generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the vertical fascia portion 31 is a horizontally-disposed soffit-receiving aperture 38. The soffit-receiving aperture 38 is defined by a horizontally-disposed and rearwardly-extending upper flange 37 and a horizontally-disposed and rearwardly-extending lower flange 36. Each flange 36, 37 includes a lip 39 that is disposed opposite the vertical fascia portion 31 , the lips 39 forming an opening that has a vertical dimension that is slightly less than the vertical dimension of the aperture 38. The purpose of this configuration will become apparent later in this detailed description. Extending upwardly from the upper flange 37 is a roof fascia lip 35. The presence of the roof fascia lip 35 allows the fascia member 30 to be secured to the roof edge fascia (not shown) simply by sliding the fascia member 30 upwardly such that the roof fascia lip 35 is diposed rearwardly of the roof edge fascia (not shown) as the fascia engagement lip 33 is received within the receiver portion 29 of the roof attachment member 20. Referring now to Figs. 4A to 4D and Figs. 5A to 5D, it will be seen that alternative embodiments of a side wall attachment member 40, 50 are shown in greater detail. While the alternative embodiments are physically different in appearance, they are also functionally different. The first embodiment of the side wall attachment member 40, _a shown in Figs. 4A to 4D, is intended for use in building construction projects where the building is new. On the other hand, the second embodiment of the side wall attachment member 50, shown in Figs. 5A to 5D, is intended for use in building construction projects where the building is being remodeled.

Referring back to Figs. 4A to 4D, it will be seen that the first side wall attachment member 40 includes a vertical side wall portion 41 having an inner face 42 that lies adjacent the side wall of the building (not shown). The attachment member 40 is secured to the side wall by means of fasteners (also not shown) that are driven through openings 43 defined within the vertical side wall portion 41. At the upper-most end 44 of the vertical side wall portion 41 and being generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the vertical side wall portion 41 is a horizontally-disposed soffit-receiving aperture 48. The soffit-receiving aperture 48 is defined by a horizontally-disposed and forwardly- extending upper flange 47 and a horizontally-disposed and forwardly-extending lower flange 46. Each flange 46, 47 includes a lip 49 that is disposed opposite the vertical side wall portion 41 , the lips 49 forming an opening that has a vertical dimension that is

«5 ' _-Q slightly less Wiϊrt thsVeftϊbai tJirήefision of the aperture 48. The purpose of this configuration will become apparent later in this detailed description.

Referring now to Figs. 5A to 5D, it will be seen that the second side wall attachment member 50 includes a horizontal portion 51 having an upper face 52 that lies adjacent the existing soffit surface of the previously constructed building (not shown). The attachment member 50 is secured to the existing soffit surface by means of fasteners (also not shown) that are driven through openings 53 defined within the horizontal portion 51. At the outer-most end 54 of the horizontal portion 51 and being generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the horizontal portion 51 is a horizontally- disposed soffit-receiving aperture 58. The soffit-receiving aperture 58 is defined by a horizontally-disposed and forwardly-extending upper flange 57, which flange 57 is actually part of the horizontal portion 51 , and a horizontally-disposed and forwardly- extending lower flange 56. Each flange 56, 57 includes a lip 59 that is disposed opposite a vertical side wall portion 55, the lips 59 forming an opening that has a vertical dimension that is slightly less than the vertical dimension of the aperture 58. Here again, the purpose of this configuration will become apparent later in this detailed description.

Continuing with Figs. 6A to 6F, the soffit member 60 is illustrated in much greater detail as well. As shown, the soffit member 60 includes a central span portion 61 which extends between a longitudinally-extending first side portion 62 and a longitudinally- extending second side portion 64. The central span portion 61 of the soffit member 60 is further defined by a leading edge 66 and a trailing edge 67. Although shown in a particular size, it is to be understood that the dimensioning illustrated is for demonstration purposes only, the length of the soffit member 60 not being a limitation of this invention. The first side portion 62 is configured to include a "T-shaped" and longitudinally-extending first side flange portion 63. Similarly, the second side portion 64 is configured to include a "T-shaped" and longitudinally-extending second side flange portion 65. Either flange portion 63, 65 is functionally adapted to engage and be slidingly receivable in the apertures 38, 48, 58 of the fascia member 30, the first embodiment of the side wall attachment member 40, of the second embodiment of the side wall attachment member 50, respectively. As shown, the soffit member 60 also includes a plurality of ventilation apertures 68 defined in it. Such is not, however, a limitation of the present invention.

" -ϊ n i _{D U} r _*

Referring ^' rϊόvv' to FigfsrTA rø 7D ₁ Figs. 8A to 8D, and Figs. 9A to 9D, several joining members of the assembly 10 are ^" shown. Specifically, Figs. 7A to 7D illustrate a fascia joint member 70 that includes an upwardly extending flat back portion 71 and a forwardly ^' and perperidfcularly-extendϊng "T-sha'ped" retainer p'ortion 72. The retainer portion 72 includes a pair of opposing and arcuate-shaped flanges 73, the flanges 73 defining a receiving aperture 74 thereunder. The aperture 74 is functionally adapted to receive the edges of the vertical portions 31 of adjacent fascia members 30. As better illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3C, it will also be seen that slits 76, 78 are defined in the fascia member 30 to accommodate the use of the fascia joint 70. To a similar effect, Figs. 8A to 8D illustrate a corner joint 80 having a pair of perpendicularly-disposed back portions 81 and a forwardly and perpendicularly-extending "T-shaped" retainer portion 82. The retainer portion 82 includes a pair of opposing and arcuate-shaped flanges 83, the flanges 83 defining a receiving aperture 84 thereunder. The aperture 84 is functionally adapted to receive the edges of the vertical portions 31 of adjacent fascia members 30.

Figs. 9A to 9D illustrate a longitudinally-extending fascia joint member 90 that includes a horizontal portion 91 having an upper face 94 that lies adjacent the existing soffit surface of a building (not shown). The fascia joint member 90 is an optional item of the assembly 10 and is provided for use only in the situation where the span of the soffit needs to utilize two or more soffit members 60. The fascia joint member 90 is secured to the existing soffit surface by means of fasteners (also not shown) that are driven through openings 96 defined within the horizontal portion 91. At the transverse center of the horizontal portion 91 and being generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the horizontal portion 91 is pair of horizontally-disposed soffit-receiving apertures 98. The soffit-receiving apertures 98 are defined by a horizontally-disposed lower flange 92, the lower flange 92 and the horizontal portion 91 being connected by means of a perpendicularly-disposed central support portion 93. Each of the horizontal portion 91 and the lower flange 92 includes a lip 99 that is disposed opposite the central support portion 93, the lips 99 forming an opening that has a vertical dimension that is slightly less than the vertical dimension of the aperture 98.

In specific application, the user first positions the roof attachment member 20 such that the upper vertical portion 23 of that member 20 is nailed to the lowermost sloped portion of a roof (not shown) and the lower vertical portion 21 is nailed to the fascia portion of the roof. Obviously, the vertical portions 21 , 23 will lie in different

planes which is allowed by used of the joint 25. The user then positions a fascia member 30 such that the vertical fascia portion 31 is substantially vertical and just below the lower vertical portion 21 of the roof attachment member 20. As the inner surface 34 of the fascia member 30 passes over the vertical portion 21 , the fascia engagement lip 33 is received by the receiver portion 29 of the roof attachment member 20 and the roof fascia lip 35 engages the roof edge fascia (not shown) to securely hold the fascia member 30 in place. See Fig. 10. At this point, the fascia member aperture 38 faces rearwardly of the roof edge fascia and toward the side wall of the building (also not shown). Depending upon the application, a side wall attachment member 40, 50 is secured to either the existing soffit (not shown) or to the building side wall (also not shown) such that the soffit-receiving apertures 48, 58, respectively, are disposed opposite the soffit-receiving aperture 38 of the fascia member 30 and substantially in the same horizontal plane. As shown by way of example in Fig. 10, the side wall attachment member 40 of the new construction type is used. In this position, a soffit member 60 may be slid into position with the first side portion 62 engaging the soffit-receiving aperture 38 of the fascia member 30 and with the second side portion 64 engaging the soffit-receiving aperture 48, 58 of the side wall attachment member 40, 50. Note that, in this position, the "T-shaped" flange portions 63, 65 are allowed some lateral movement within the soffit-receiving apertures 38, 48, 58. This allows for the assembly 10 of the present invention to be used with soffits of varying dimensions, including those shown in Fig. 13, and allows for thermal expansion and contraction relative to the building and the assembly 10 and relative to the various assembly members. This process is then repeated until the assembly 10 is completed, with use of the different joining members 70, 80, 90 to create a completely aesthetically pleasing assembly 10 when viewed from all points outside of the building. See, in particular, Figs. 11 and 12 which illustrate use of the fascia joint 70 and the corner joint 80, respectively.

Accordingly, it will be seen that there has been provided a new, useful and nonobvious soffit assembly that includes a number of prefabricated assembly pieces that are capable of inter-engagement to protect the roof-edges of a building; that includes assembly pieces that are configured such that the pieces securely engage adjacent pieces to form a complete soffit assembly; that is capable of use with buildings having different configurations and different dimensions, and in cases where the building is new construction or otherwise; that provides for some limited movement of adjacent

_{1 ^} ,. ^■ ₁ .,. .... pieces without complete αiseήgagement of them; that includes a minimal number of pieces and requires a minimum number of steps to use, thus making it relatively quick and easy to assemble.