BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to materials for constructing and repairing buildings and more specifically to connectors for securing the ends of the fascia boards of a building.
2. State of the Art
Wooden boards are a common material for constructing homes and other buildings. The wooden boards are cut to the desired size and shape and attached to each other to form walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, and other building surfaces. The fascia of a building is the outermost part of the cornice or eaves of a building. The fascia of a building is often composed of fascia boards. Fascia boards have an aesthetic function in that they create a smooth surface along the edge of the roof. But their most important function is to protect the interior of the house from weather damage. The fascia of a house protects the seam between the top of the walls and the roof from water, sun and wind and keeps these elements from entering the building through this seam. Fascia boards are exposed to the weather and are often the first places on a house to be damaged from the elements. The fascia boards protects the roof edges and home interior from weather damage, but this causes the fascia board itself to sustain damage from water, rot, freezing and drying.
The ends of fascia boards are often nailed together during construction of the fascia of a building. The joint where two fascia boards meet is a common place for the fascia boards to rot, split, and bend. Over time these joints, fastened together by nails, push away from each other, creating a crack between them. This causes an unsightly appearance but also can keep the fascia board from doing its job keeping the elements from penetrating the home's exterior. If not repaired the condition will continue to deteriorate until the nails protrude completely out of the boards. Eventually the two fascia boards separate from each other, the wood of the fascia board gets dry rot, and the boards twist out of shape, putting stress on the adjacent board joints.
One solution is to replace the fascia boards. This can be expensive, however when it is only the ends of the board that need replacing. Another solution is to re-nail the boards together. This is only a temporary solution because nails alone are not adequate to contain the separation process between the fascia boards. In addition, each time the boards are nailed together the end of the board loses structural integrity due to the multiple nail holes.
Hence there is a need for a fascia system for buildings which provides a fascia that will not deteriorate with time and weather conditions. There is a need for a connector to fasten and secure together the ends of fascia boards. This connector needs to be able to hold the joint together firmly, not allowing the boards to move, shift, separate, or twist even when exposed to weather and age.
Accordingly, a fascia system for buildings is disclosed, which includes a connector for securing the ends of two fascia boards, wherein the connector secures the ends of fascia boards regardless of age or weather.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to materials for constructing and repairing buildings. A fascia system for buildings is disclosed which includes a sheet of material comprising a first part and a second part, a first fascia board, wherein the first part is coupled to at least one side of the first fascia board, and a second part, wherein the second fascia board is held in a predetermined position with respect to the first fascia board in response to the second part being coupled to at least one side of the second fascia board. In some embodiments the sheet of material has an inner angle that is greater than or equal to 180 degrees. In some embodiments the sheet of material has an inner angle that is less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments the inner angle is a function of the pitch angle. In some embodiments the sheet of material further comprises a hole for receiving a screw, where the hole is positioned at a bulge in the sheet of material.
A fascia system for buildings is disclosed which includes a sheet of material comprising a first part and a second part, a first fascia board, wherein the first part is coupled to three sides of the first fascia board, and a second part, wherein the second fascia board is held in a predetermined position with respect to the first fascia board in response to the second part being coupled to three sides of the second fascia board. In some embodiments the shape of the second part is a mirror image of the shape of the first part. A fold in the sheet of material can be positioned according to a divot in the sheet of material. In some embodiments the sheet of material is composed of galvanized metal. In some embodiments, the sheet of material is shaped as a concave decahedron. In other embodiments the sheet of material is shaped as a concave nonahedron. A decorative pattern can be applied to the sheet of material.
The invention discloses a connector for connecting two boards comprising a sheet of material which includes a first part and a second part, wherein a first board is held in a predetermined position with respect to a second board in response to the first part being coupled to multiple sides of the first board and the second part being coupled to multiple sides of the second board. In some embodiments the first part is coupled to three sides of the first board. In some embodiments a decorative pattern is inscribed in the sheet of material. The first part can be coupled to multiple sides of the first board using screws.
A method of repairing fascia boards according to the invention is disclosed, which includes removing old fasteners from a first fascia board and a second fascia board, attaching a first part of a sheet of material to the first fascia board, and attaching a second part of the sheet of material to the second fascia board, wherein the first and second fascia board are held in a predetermined position with respect to one another in response to the first part being attached to the first fascia board and the second part being attached to the second fascia board. In some embodiments the method of repairing fascia boards according to the invention can include folding the first part along fold lines determined by a first divot in the first part, and folding the second part along fold lines determined by a second divot in the second part. The first part of the sheet of material can be attached to the first fascia board using screws. In some embodiments the method of repairing fascia boards includes folding the first part such that a decorative pattern is exposed. In some embodiments the method includes cutting the sheet of material into a decorative shape.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a house including one embodiment of fascia system 104 according to the invention.
FIG. 2 shows fascia system 104 of FIG. 1 including connector 110 in the form of sheet of material 111a according to the invention securing the ends of two fascia boards.
FIG. 3
a shows a front view, and FIG. 3b a perspective view, of sheet of material 111a which comprises an embodiment of connector 110 according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a front view (FIG. 4a) and a back view (FIG. 4b) of an embodiment of fascia system 104 according to the invention including connector 110 of FIG. 3 securing two fascia boards.
FIG. 5
a shows a front view, and FIG. 5b a perspective view, of sheet of material 111b which comprises an embodiment of connector 110 according to the present invention.
FIG. 6
a and FIG. 6b shows two different perspective views of one embodiment of fascia system 104 according to the invention with connector 110 including sheet of material 111b of FIG. 5 securing two fascia boards.
FIG. 7
a shows a front view, and FIG. 7b a perspective view, of one embodiment of sheet of material 111c which comprises connector 110 according to the present invention.
FIG. 8
a and FIG. 8b shows two different perspective views of an embodiment of fascia system 104 with connector 110 including sheet of material 111c of FIG. 7 securing two fascia boards.
FIG. 9 shows a method of repairing fascia boards according to the invention.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of fascia system 104 with connector 110 including sheet of material 111d.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiments of fascia system 104 with connector 110 including sheet of material 111e.
FIG. 12 shows a different perspective view of fascia system 104 with connector 110 of FIG. 11 including sheet of material 111e.
FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of sheet of material 111e of connector 110 according to the invention of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of connector 110 according to the invention using sheet of material 111f.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to materials for constructing and repairing buildings, and more specifically to connectors for securing the ends of fascia boards of a building.
FIG. 1 shows house 100, which includes roof 102, wall 106, and fascia system 104 according to the invention. The fascia of a house or a building is at the end of a house's roof or eaves. The fascia of a building has several purposes. In one purpose the fascia provides a visually pleasing surface transition between the roof and the walls of a house. Fascia boards can visually cover the undersides of the eaves and its attachment to the wall. This area is sometimes less than pleasing visually, and so the fascia is used to provide a visually appealing transition from roof to walls. The fascia is also used to protect the seam between the roof and the wall from weather and the elements. This roof/wall seam is sealed but it is desirable to keep wind, rain, dirt, and other elements from directly contacting this seam in order to keep it sealed during the life of the building.
Fascia boards also act to direct rain, condensation, melted, snow, and debris that hits roof 102 toward the ground. Sometimes gutters are attached to fascia boards to help direct rainwater as it exits roof 102.
Since one of the main purposes of the fascia of a building is to collect and direct rain, wind, snow, and other elements and protect house 100 from these elements, fascia boards are often damaged by these elements and need to be replaced or repaired. Fascia boards are often connected at a fascia joint using nails. Due to exposure to the weather and elements, however, the fascia joint separates over time. The two fascia boards can be pulled apart at the fascia joint. If not repaired eventually, the nails will be pulled completely out of the boards, and the two fascia boards will separate completely from each other at the fascia joint. In addition, the wood can become dry rotted and no longer provide the support and protection it is designed for. The two fascia boards can also twist and lose their shape, which will put stress on other house connections and seams, and the damage spreads. Fascia system 104 according to the invention comprises individual fascia boards and connector 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Fascia system 104 includes first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132, which are connected together at fascia joint 144 using connector 110. Fascia system 104 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is designed to overcome the problems discussed of typical fascia on buildings. Connector 110 secures first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 at joint 144, creating a connection which can survive exposure to the elements and securely hold the ends of first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in a predetermined relationship without allowing the boards to move, separate, shift, or twist over time. Connector 110 holds second fascia board 132 in a predetermined relationship to first fascia board 122. As shown in FIG. 2 this predetermined relationship comprises holding second fascia board 132 at angle 150 with respect to first fascia board 122.
FIG. 1 shows fascia system 104 on house 100, but it should be understood that fascia system 104 and connector 110 can be used on the fascia boards of any building, such as a shed, a commercial building, an office, etc. Fascia system 104 has many types and forms of embodiments on different types and forms of buildings. Embodiments of connector 110 can be used on any of these types of fascia. It should also be understood, however, that connector 110 can be used to connect any two boards. Connector 110 can be used wherever two boards need to be held in a predetermined position with respect to one another. Connector 110 is particularly suited for holding the ends of boards secure over an extended period of time without allowing weather damage to affect the connection, but other uses are foreseen. For example, since fascia system 104 is also used to obtain a pleasing look to a house or building, connector 110 can be used to improve the appearance of fascia system 104 by adding decorative patterns, folds, or drawings as will be discussed shortly.
FIG. 1 thru FIG. 4b show an embodiment of fascia system 104 which includes connector 110 according to the invention comprising sheet of material 111a. FIG. 3a shows a front view of sheet of material 111a, and FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of sheet of material 111a after it has been folded for placement over the two fascia boards. FIG. 4 shows how fascia system 104 comprising sheet of material 111a according to the invention secures the ends of two fascia boards 132 and 122 in a predetermined relationship. FIG. 4a shows a front view of sheet of material 111a connecting first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 at joint 144 with angle 150 between the two boards. FIG. 4b shows a rear view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 4a.
Sheet of material 111a includes first part 112 and second part 114, which are separated by dividing line 115. First part 112 is coupled to first fascia board 122 as shown in FIGS. 1-4b, and second part 114 is coupled to second fascia board 132. Coupling as used here means attaching or fastening. Sheet of material 111a is coupled to first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 through holes 160 (See FIG. 3a, one of fourteen holes 160 labelled). Nails or screws can be used to couple sheet of material 111a to fascia board 122 and 132 through holes 160. Nails, screws, or other similar fasteners will attach sheet of material 111a firmly to fascia boards 132 and 122. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, screws 164 (one of multiple screws 164 labelled) are used to couple sheet of material 111a to first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132. This coupling or attaching of sheet of material 111a to fascia boards 132 and 122 can be accomplished in different ways in other embodiments. In some embodiments fasteners other than nails or screws are used to couple sheet of material 111a to first fascia board 122 or second fascia board 132.
Sheet of material 111a as shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b has nine sides, and forms a concave nonahedron shape. These sides include sheet of material first side 171, sheet of material second side 172, sheet of material third side 173, sheet of material fourth side 174 sheet of material fifth side 175, sheet of material sixth side 176, sheet of material seventh side 177, sheet of material eighth side 178, and sheet of material ninth side 179. In some embodiments the number of sides included in sheet of material 111a of connector 110 is more or less than nine. In some embodiments increasing the number of sides can increases the ability of connector 110 to be firmly attached to multiple sides of fascia boards 122 and 132, while minimizing the material used for sheet of material 111a. In this embodiment sheet of material is made of a piece of galvanized metal with a thickness of about 0.125 inches. Sheet of material 111a has a thickness which is typically in the range of 0.01 inches to 0.3 inches. This range of thickness, depending on the material used to form sheet of material 111a, gives sheet of material 111a enough strength to securely hold the ends of first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 while still being able to bend and shape sheet of material 111a.
The shape of sheet of material 111a of connector 110 according to the invention is chosen according to the specific geometry required for each embodiment. Sheet of material 111a is shaped with central portion 190 and two arms, first arm 191 and second arm 192. In this embodiment first arm 191 and second arm 192 are at an angle with respect to central portion 190 because it is required in this embodiment that second fascia board 132 and first fascia board 122 be held at predetermined angle 150 with respect to one another as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4a-b. In other embodiments of connector 110 different shapes and different angles can be used for connector 110. In some embodiments sheet of material 111a can be cut into a decorative pattern so that fascia system 104 can have a decorative pattern in response to attaching connector 110 to fascia boards 122 and 132.
Sheet of material 111a is coupled to multiple sides of fascia boards 122 and 132. First fascia board 122 is held in a predetermined position with respect to second fascia board 132 in response to first part 112 being coupled to multiple sides of first fascia board 122 and second part 114 being coupled to multiple sides of second fascia board 132. The predetermined position can take many different forms. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4a-b, this predetermined position is such that there is angle 150 between first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132, where angle 150 is equal to about 160 degrees. In other embodiments other angles and positions are needed for the predetermined relationship, according to whatever relationship first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 need to be held at for the particular building they are a part of.
Sheet of material 111a in the embodiment of fascia 104 shown in FIG. 2-4b is folded along folds 116 so that second part 114 is coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132, and first part 112 is coupled to three sides of first fascia board 122. First fascia board 122 has four sides, first side 124, second side 125, third side 126, and fourth side 127. Similarly, second fascia board 132 has four sides, first side 134, second side 135, third side 136, and fourth side 137. As shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, first part 112 is coupled to sides 124, 125, and 127 of first fascia board 122. Second part 114 is coupled to sides 134, 135, and 137 of second fascia board 132. Second fascia board 132 is held in a predetermined position with respect to first fascia board 122 in response to first part 112 being coupled to three sides of first fascia board 122 and second part 114 being coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132. As mentioned earlier, in this embodiment the predetermined position of the two boards is angle 150 between them. In this specific embodiment angle 150 is equal to about 160 degrees. In general angle 150 can vary from 0 to 180 degrees. Many different angular relationships and predetermined positions are possible in response to first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 being held in position by sheet of material 111a of connector 110 according to the invention. In some embodiments of connector 110 folds 116 are positioned differently from what is shown. In some embodiments folds 116 are decorative themselves. In this way folds 116 have not only a functional purpose but a decorative one as well. Sheet of material 111a can be decorative in response to folds 116 being folded in sheet of material 111a. A decorative pattern can also be applied to sheet of material 111a, which will then add to the decorative qualities of sheet of material 111a of connector 110 when it is seen on house 100.
Sheet of material 111a is shown having divots 118 which help to define the position of folds 116. It should be understood that the shape of sheet of material 111a, the number of sides, the position of folds 116 and divots 118 can include many different varieties and embodiments according to the desired positioning of the fascia boards to be connected for fascia system 104 according to the invention. Some particular embodiments are shown in this document, but many other specific shapes, sizes, and positions are envisioned according to need.
FIG. 3
a and FIG. 3b show an embodiment of sheet of material 111a where second part 114 is a mirror image of first part 112. This is particularly useful where fascia board 132 is a mirror image of fascia board 122. In other embodiments, however, fascia boards 132 and 122 may not be mirror images of each other, and in some embodiments of sheet of material 111a second part 114 is not a mirror image of first part 112.
Sheet of material 111a holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in the predetermined position with respect to one another for much longer than nails alone can do. Even when the ends of the two boards dry up or rot from moisture, connector 110 will not allow the ends to pull apart at fascia joint 144. Sheet of material 111a will not allow first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 to move, separate, shift or twist even after exposure to weather and the elements.
FIG. 5
a through FIG. 6b show another embodiment of fascia system 104 with connector 110 according to the invention as sheet of material 111b. FIG. 5a shows a front view of sheet of material 111b, and FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of sheet of material 111b showing one way that it can be folded to accept two fascia boards. FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show two different perspectives of fascia system 104 according to the invention using connector 110 of FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b coupling two fascia boards 132 and 122 in a predetermined relationship to one another on a building.
Sheet of material 111b has a shape with ten sides, sides 171 through 180 as shown in the drawing, forming a concave decahedron. Sheet of material 111b is similar to sheet of material 111a in that it has central portion 190 and first arm 191 and second arm 192. First part 112 of sheet of material 111b is coupled to first fascia board 122, and second part 114 of sheet of material 111b is coupled to second fascia board 132. First part 112 is separated from second part 114 by dividing line 115. In this embodiment, sheet of material 111b is folded along dividing line 115. The angle of the fold along dividing line 115 defines angle 150 between first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132. In this embodiment of fascia system 104 and connector 110 angle 150 is about 90 degrees. In some embodiments angle 150 is different than 90 degrees.
The embodiment of connector 110 as sheet of material 111b shown in FIG. 5a through FIG. 6b includes multiple folds 116 and multiple divots 118 which can help define folds 116. In some embodiments of sheet of material 111b folds 116 and divots 118 are more or less in number. In some embodiments of sheet of material 111b folds 116 or divots 118 can be placed in different places on sheet of material 111b.
Sheet of material 111b is coupled to three sides of fascia board 122 using screws 164 (one of multiple screws 164 labeled in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b), which pass through holes 160 (one of 24 holes 160 labeled in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b). This securely fastens first part 112 of sheet of material 111b to first fascia board 122. Fascia board 132 meets fascia board 122 at fascia joint 144. Second part 114 is coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132 with screws 164, which pass through holes 160. Second fascia board 132 is held in a predetermined position with respect to first fascia board 122 in response to second part 114 being coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132. In this embodiment second fascia board 132 is held in a position such that angle 150 between first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 is 90 degrees at fascia joint 144. Sheet of material 111b holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in this predetermined position with respect to one another for much longer than nails alone can do. Even when the ends of the two boards dry up or rot from moisture, connector 110 will not allow the ends to pull apart at fascia joint 144. Sheet of material 111b will not allow first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 to move, separate, shift or twist even after exposure to weather and the elements.
In some embodiments sheet of material 111b is coupled to more or less than three sides of first fascia board 122. In some embodiments sheet of material 111b is coupled to more or less than three sides of second fascia board 132. In some embodiments angle 150 is a number of degrees more or less than 90 degrees. In some embodiments nails are used instead of screws to fasten sheet of material 111b to first or second fascia boards 122 and 132. It should be understood that fasteners other than nails and screws can be used to fasten sheet of material 111b to fascia boards 132 or 122.
In these embodiments of sheet of material 111 as seen as sheet of material 111a in FIGS. 2-4b and sheet of material 111b in FIGS. 5a-6b, sheet of material 111 is composed of galvanized metal. Galvanized metal is used as it resists rust and corrosion. Other materials can be used to form sheet of material 111 of connector 110 of the invention. Material such as other metals or plastics can be used. Sheet of material 111 can be formed flat and then folded into shape, or sheet of material 111 can be manufactured with the folds already placed in the material. Sheet of material 111 can be cut from a larger piece of material, such as a large piece of galvanized metal. Sheet of material 111 can be molded into the proper shape, as when plastic materials are molded. Sheet of material 111 can be formed into any size and shape needed for the specific geometry of the boards that need to be secured in a predetermined relationship to each other.
FIGS. 7
a through 8b show a further embodiment of fascia system 104 which includes connector 110 comprising sheet of material 111c according to the invention. Sheet of material 111c includes first part 112 and second part 114, divided by dividing line 115. In this embodiment first part 112 and second part 114 are mirror images of each other. In some embodiments first part 112 and second part 114 have shapes which are not mirror images of each other. Sheet of material 111c is shaped as a concave decahedron with ten sides 171-180. The shape of sheet of material 111c includes a base portion 190 and two arms 191 and 192. In some embodiments sheet of material 111c has other shapes and numbers of sides.
Sheet of material 111c has divots 118 which can help to define folds 116. Folds 116 allow first part 112 to be coupled to multiple sides of first fascia board 122. In this embodiment first part 112 is coupled to three sides of first fascia board 122. In other embodiments first part 112 is coupled to more or less than three sides of first fascia board 122. First part 112 is coupled to multiple sides of first fascia board 122 using nails 162 (one of multiple nails 162 lableled in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b), which pass through holes 160 (two of fourteen holes 160 labeled in FIG. 7a). In some embodiments other fasteners such as screws or similar fasteners are used. Second part 114 is coupled to multiple sides of second fascia board 132. First fascia board 122 is held in a predetermined position with respect to second fascia board 132 in response to first part 112 being coupled to multiple sides of first fascia board 122 and second part 114 being coupled to multiple sides of second fascia board 132. In this embodiment second part 114 is coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132. Second fascia board 132 is held in a predetermined position with respect to first fascia board 122 in response to second portion 114 being coupled to three sides of second fascia board 132. In other embodiments second part 114 is coupled to more or less than three sides of second fascia board 132. Second part 114 is coupled to multiple sides of second fascia board 132 using nails 162, which pass through holes 160. In some embodiments other fasteners are used instead of nails. Sheet of material 111c holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in a predetermined position with respect to one another. In this embodiment the predetermined position is such that the ends of the boards abut at fascia joint 144, and there is an angle 150 between the two boards, such that angle 150 equals 180 degrees. Connector 110 of fascia system 104 holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in this predetermined position with respect to one another for much longer than nails alone can do. Even when the ends of the two boards dry up or rot from moisture, sheet of material 111c will not allow the ends to pull apart at fascia joint 144. Connector 110 will not allow first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 to move, separate, shift or twist even after exposure to weather and the elements.
A method of repairing fascia boards is disclosed herein as shown in FIG. 9. Method 200 of repairing fascia boards is shown, which includes step 205 removing old nails from a first and a second fascia board, step 210 attaching a first part of a sheet of material to a first fascia board, and step 220 attaching a second part of a sheet of material to a second fascia board, wherein the first and second fascia board are held in a predetermined position with respect to one another in response to the first part being attached to the first fascia board and the second part being attached to the second fascia board.
Method 200 can include many other steps. In some embodiments method 200 includes the step of folding the first part along fold lines determined by a first divot in the first part. Method 200 can include the steps of folding the second part along fold lines determined by a second divot in the second part. Method 200 can include the step of folding the first part such that a decorative pattern is exposed. Method 200 can include attaching a first part of a sheet of material to a first fascia board using nails. Method 200 can also include attaching a first part of a sheet of material to a first fascia board using screws. Method 200 can include applying a decorative pattern to the sheet of material. Method 200 can include applying decorative folds to the sheet of material.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of fascia system 104 including connector 110 according to the invention. This embodiment includes sheet of material 111d as connector 110. Sheet of material 111d is connected to one side of fascia board 122 using screws 164 which pass through holes 160. This securely fastens first part 112 of sheet of material 111d to first fascia board 122. First fascia board 122 meets second fascia board 132 at fascia joint 144. Second part 114 is coupled to one side of second fascia board 132 with screws 164, which pass through holes 160. Second fascia board 132 is held in a predetermined position with respect to first fascia board 122 in response to second part 114 being coupled to one side of second fascia board 132. Sheet of material 111d holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in a predetermined position with respect to one another in response to first part 112 being fastened to one side of first fascia board 122 and second part 114 being fastened to second fascia board 132. Even when the ends of the two boards dry up or rot from moisture, connector 110 will not allow the ends to pull apart at fascia joint 144. Sheet of material 111d will not allow first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 to move, separate, shift or twist even after exposure to weather and the elements.
In the embodiment of FIG. 10, connector 110 is fastened to the outer surface of fascia boards 122 and 132, in other words to a surface that is facing outwards from the building that fascia system 104 is a part of In some embodiments connector 110 is fastened to the inner surface of fascia boards 122 or 132, in other words connector 110 is mounted to a surface of fascia boards 122 and 132 that is facing towards the building that fascia system 104 is a part of. Two holes 160 and screws 164 are positioned in this embodiment at bulges 184 in sheet of material 111d. In this embodiments three holes 160 and three screws 164 are used on each part 112 and part 114. In some embodiments a greater or lesser number of screws 164 and holes 160 are used. The distance from dividing line 115 to holes 160 is predetermined to provide maximum joint strength without wasting material in sheet of material 111d. For greater bend angles or roof pitches, sheet of material 111d is made larger and holes 160 and screws 164 are positioned a larger distance from dividing line 115 as compared to a sheet of material 111d used for smaller bend angles or roof pitches.
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show perspective views of another embodiment of fascia system 104 including connector 110 according to the invention. This embodiment includes sheet of material 111e as connector 110. Sheet of material 111e is connected to one side of fascia board 122 using screws 164 which pass through holes 160. This securely fastens first part 112 of sheet of material 111e to first fascia board 122. First fascia board 122 meets second fascia board 132 at fascia joint 144. Second part 114 is coupled to one side of second fascia board 132 with screws 164, which pass through holes 160. Second fascia board 132 is held in a predetermined position with respect to first fascia board 122 in response to second part 114 being coupled to one side of second fascia board 132. Sheet of material 111e holds first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 in a predetermined position with respect to one another in response to first part 112 being fastened to one side of first fascia board 122 and second part 114 being fastened to second fascia board 132. Even when the ends of the two boards dry up or rot from moisture, connector 110 will not allow the ends to pull apart at fascia joint 144. Sheet of material 111e will not allow first fascia board 122 and second fascia board 132 to move, separate, shift or twist even after exposure to weather and the elements.
In the embodiment of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, connector 110 is fastened to the outer surface of fascia boards 122 and 132. In some embodiments connector 110 is fastened to the inner surface of fascia boards 122 or 132.
FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of sheet of material 111e according to the invention used in fascia system 104 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Connector side 172 and connector side 173 of sheet of material 111e are scalloped—made with bulges 184—so that screws 164 will hold sheet of material 111e securely to boards 122 or 132, without material waste in sheet of material 111e. Holes 160 and screws 164 are positioned in this embodiment at bulges 184 in sheet of material 111e. In this embodiment four holes 160 and four screws 164 are used on each part 112 and part 114. In some embodiments a greater or lesser number of screws 164 and holes 160 are used. The distance from dividing line 115 to holes 160 is predetermined to provide maximum joint strength without wasting material in sheet of material 111e. For the embodiment of fascias system 104 with inner angle 151 shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, sheet of material 111e is made larger and holes 160 and screws 164 are positioned a larger distance from bend 116 as compared to sheet of material 111d used for smaller bend angles or roof pitches as shown in FIG. 10.
Sheet of material 111e is designed for fascia system 104 with a pitch angle 151 as shown in FIG. 12. It is desirable in this embodiment to have connector 110 have two sides 173 and 174 that are coincident with the bottom edges of boards 122 and 132. In order for this to occur, sheet of material 111e has an inner angle 152 which varies with pitch angle 151. Inner angle 152 is a function of the pitch angle 151 on sheet of material 111e such that inner angle 152=180 degrees−2*pitch angle 151. Inner angle 152 in this embodiment is less than 180 degrees, because inner angle 152 is equal to 180 degrees minus two times the pitch angle 151, and pitch angle 151 is greater than zero. In this way sheet of material 111e has an inner angle 152 which is less than 180 degrees, in order to ensure that two sides 173 and 174 are coincident with the bottom edges of boards 122 and 132
FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of a further embodiment of connector 110 as sheet of material 111f. In this embodiment it is desirable to have a connector 110 that can be used with a variety of pitch angles 151—a universal fascia board connector. If sheet of material 111e of FIG. 13 is used on a fascia system 104 where the pitch angle is zero degrees, then edges 173 and 174 and the bottom portion of sheet of material 111e will hang over the bottom edge of boards 122 and 132, because sheet of material 111e is specifically designed for use with a fascia system 104 where the pitch angle is angle 151 as shown in FIG. 12. Connector 110 as shown in FIG. 14, where connector 110 includes sheet of material 111f as shown, has an inner angle 152 which is greater than or equal to 180 degrees. Connector 110 as shown in FIG. 14 can be used as a universal fascia board connector, and can be used with fascia system 104 where the pitch angle 151 varies within the range of 0 to 90 degrees. Regardless of the value of pitch angle 151, sheet of material 111f will not hang over the edges of boards 122 and 132. In this embodiment sheet of material 111f will not be coincident with the edges of boards 122 and 132, but is a universal fascia board connector in that it can be used in fascia systems 104 of different pitch angles 151.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. For example, first part 112 and second part 114 of sheet of material 111 can be manufactured separately and later connected by welding, or fasteners such as hinges.
Patent Application
20110225920
