Other Classes:
52/198, 52/94, 52/199, 52/95
Field of Search:
52/94,95,198,199 98/DIG.6,37,29
Claims:
I claim
1. A frieze vent comprising:
2. A frieze vent comprising a piece of sheet material,
3. A frieze vent comprising
4. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 3 comprising
5. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 4,
6. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 5
7. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 6
8. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 7,
9. A frieze vent comprising
10. A frieze vent as set forth in claim 10, said sheet having longitudinal corrugations on each of the extensions from the first side, such corrugations being adjacent to said ears.
11. A frieze vent comprising
12. A frieze vent comprising a piece of sheet material,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to frieze vents for buildings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has long been the practice that in order to seal the space between the roofing material and outside walls of a building, bounded on the ends by the rafters a so-called frieze board would be constructed by carefully measuring the spacing between the rafters, cutting notches in a long board to fit around the rafters, and nailing the board in place. Vent holes are sometimes provided, which holes may be covered with screen wire.
The above method of construction and installation of a frieze board has been an arduous and time consuming task. That probelm is solved by the frieze vent, which is prefabricated and easily installed. The vent can be prefabricated because it is adjustable to variations in the normal size of the space between the rafters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a prefabricated sheet of metal, plastic or other material which is used to occupy the spaces between the roofing material and outside walls of a building. This space is caused by the vertical dimensions of the rafters which raise the roofing material above the outside walls.
The frieze vent is prefabricated in a number of sizes designed to conform to various dimensions and spacings of the rafters, and it is provided with means for adjusting its dimensions to accommodate variations in the normal sizes of the openings. It is perforated to a degree to allow ventilation of the attic space enclosed but at the same time to exclude the entry of birds and large insects. The invention is provided with ears in order that it may be easily installed by connection to the wooden rafters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many forms of apparatus may be utilized to practice the method of this invention. The accompanying drawings show a preferred embodiment of apparatus which may be used to practice the method of this invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the frieze vent in place;
FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the frieze vent showing the connecting ears, corrugations and bent edge in perspective;
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken at line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, taken at line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a building structure having rafters 1 supporting roofing materials 2. Due to the vertical dimension of the rafters, openings 3 are formed between the roofing material 2 and the outer walls 4 of the building. The frieze vent 5 of this invention is used to cover that opening, and is held in place by attaching ears 6 to rafters 1.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of the frieze vent 5 shows vent slits 7 through which air may pass, but which is designed to exclude birds and large insects. Also shown are ears 6 to be attached to rafters, as by means of nails, for which holes 6a may be provided. This attachment operates to hold the frieze vent in place. Bent edge 9 is connected to one longitudinal side of the frieze vent and has extensions 9a which overlay the rafters at each end of the frieze vent. Bent edge 9 provides an upper seal against the roofing material and may be at an angle, for example, of 60° to the plane of the body of the frieze vent so as to be easily bent as necessary during installation to lie substantially against the roofing material 2. Between ears 6 and the perforated portion of the frieze vent is located a crimped section 10 which makes the width of the vent adjustable for imperfect spacings and variations in the dimensions of rafters. A longitudinal extension 11a juts from each end of the bottom longitudinal side of the frieze vent, and is provided with a longitudinally extending corrugation 11 on its upper edge. The extensions 9a and 11a are preferably no longer than about the thickness of a rafter, and more preferably are about half the thickness of a rafter. If the extensions 11a are made longer than half the thickness of a rafter, each such extension is designed to fit inside or overlay the adjacent extension. This design depends upon the degree to which edge 8 is folded at each extension 11a.
FIG. 3 illustrates in detail the installation of one embodiment of the frieze vent 5 of this invention. One ear 6 is fastened to an adjacent rafter 1, as by means of nails 12, the corrugations 10 being contracted or expanded as necessary to allow the frieze vent to fit the width of the opening, and corrugations 11 being expanded or contracted as necessary to engage the bottoms of the rafters and to allow extensions 9a to lie on top of the rafters. Bent edge 9 is shown providing an upper seal against roofing material 2, which is preferably applied after the frieze vent is installed. Also shown in this view are vent slits 7 and folded edge 8 which provides the lower seal against the outer wall 4 of the building.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the frieze vent 5 shows vent slits 7, ear 6, and crimped section 10, shown partially expanded, which allows the frieze vent to be adjusted for variations in the normal distance between the rafters. Also shown is corrugation 11.
The frieze vent of this invention may be readily stamped from a single flat sheet of aluminum or other metal sheet material, or it may be molded from various materials. Other materials and methods of manufacture will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The corrugations or crimping at 10 and 11 provide adjustment for minor variations in dimensions of the openings between rafters and for variations in the vertical dimensions of the rafters installed. Various sizes may be made to fit normal rafter sizes and spacings.
As stated, many variations to the above preferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is impractical to show and describe all the variations included within the invention and as a result the embodiments described should be considered illustrative only, and not limiting -- the scope of the invention being as broad as is defined by the appended claims. The form of the claims and the specification, including the Abstract, is adopted solely for explanation and should not be considered in interpreting the scope of the invention as claimed.