Parapet wall closure

Abstract

A wall closure for a vertical wall or parapet on a roof structure is fabricated as an integral unit from a non-corrosive, durable material. The wall closure includes an anchoring flange for attachment to a top end of the wall, upper flanges defining a mounting base for attachment of a wall coping, an intermediate portion between the anchoring flange and the upper flanges creating depth therebetween for ventilation of the roof system, and opposite side panels extending down from the upper flanges for overlapping attachment to the opposite sides of the wall, thereby enclosing the top end of the wall. The lower ends of the side walls are angled outwardly to provide added rigidity and strength to the wall closure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/794,569 filed on Apr. 22, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to blocking for use in roof systems and, more particularly, to a rigid, durable and non-corrosive blocking member that encloses the top end of a wall (e.g. parapet wall) and accepts a wall coping.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Generally, roof systems used on most building structures, and particularly commercial buildings, require some type of blocking to provide a base for the attachment of roofing components such as, but not limited to, gravel stops, eaves, drips, fascia, gutters, vent stacks, roof top equipment, expansion joints, roof curbs, copings and cant strips. Traditionally, wood is used for roof blocking and typically consists of one or more stacked wood boards (e.g. 2 inch by 4 inch or 2 inch by 6 inch boards) that are nailed to the roof structure and each other in order to provide a built-up base at various locations on the roof system wherein it is necessary to mount the roofing components and equipment. Presently, wood blocking is used on virtually all roof systems which require blocking for the purposes described above.

Despite its widespread use in roof systems, there are significant drawbacks and shortcomings associated with the use of conventional wood blocking. In particular, wood is susceptible to damage and deterioration from moisture, termites, ants, and other natural enemies. Further, because wood is a solid material, it does not provide for venting capabilities to permit escape of moisture and gasses from within the roof. The lack of adequate venting is a contributing factor of premature roof failure. Additionally, wood has limited pull-out characteristics for holding nails and other fasteners, thereby requiring a considerable amount of hardware to attach roofing components. Wood, being a natural product, is also prone to irregularities such as areas of reduced dimension, warping, and splintering. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve a straight, uniform blocking configuration. Furthermore, the dimensions of wood are limited to lumber industry standards which often does not correspond to the dimensions of roofing components, such as roof insulation or lightweight concrete thickness, expansion joint heights and equipment sizes.

In my U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,256 B1 a wall closure blocking assembly is disclosed and includes an integral, one-piece unit having an M-shaped cross-sectional configuration. This M-shaped blocking assembly is formed entirely of a non-corrosive material, such as galvanized steel or aluminum, and includes opposite rails for mating engagement with the top flat surface of a vertical wall on a roof structure. The entire M-shaped component assembly sits on the top end of the vertical wall.

In view of the shortcomings of tradition wood blocking used in roof systems, as set forth above, there remains a definite and ongoing need in the construction industry for various alternative blocking structures that overcome the above-described problems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention has the following objects and advantages over the conventional wood blocking structure presently used in most roof systems.

In particular, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a blocking assembly for roof systems comprising a preformed integral unit manufactured from galvanized steel, steel, aluminum, plastic or other corrosion-resistant materials to thereby provide resistance to deterioration from moisture, insects, warping, and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-corrosive blocking component that is formed and/or molded in accordance with desired size and configuration specifications for use as a wall closure on the top end of a wall of a roof structure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a non-corrosive blocking component having a pullout resistance that is significantly greater than that of wood, thereby requiring less hardware, labor and materials for installation.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a non-corrosive blocking component that encloses the top end of a wall of a roof structure and which is formed to provide added rigidity and strength.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a non-corrosive wall closure blocking component that extends down the opposite sides of a wall (e.g., parapet wall) on a roof structure to fully enclose the top end of the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wall closure blocking component for installation on the top end of a vertical wall or parapet on a roof structure and replaces traditional wood blocking. The wall closure blocking component is fabricated as an integral unit from a non-corrosive, durable material and includes an anchoring flange for attachment to a top end of the wall, upper flanges defining a mounting base for attachment of a wall coping, and an intermediate portion between the anchoring flange and upper flanges for creating a void between the upper flanges and the top end of the wall structure. This void allows for ventilation of the roof system. The wall closure blocking component also has opposite side panels extending down from the upper flanges for overlapping attachment to the opposite sides of the wall, thereby enclosing the top end of the wall. The lower ends of the side walls are angled outwardly to provide increased rigidity and strength to the wall closure blocking component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the wall closure of the present invention and a wall coping partially separated therefrom; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the wall closure fastened to the top end of a vertical wall on a roof structure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall closure blocking component is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The wall closure blocking component 10 replaces traditional wood blocking that is currently used on building structures to facilitate the attachment of a top coping 12 on a wall structure 14.

Specifically, the wall closure 10 is structured for installation on the top end 16 of the vertical wall 14 on a roof structure. The wall closure 10 is manufactured as an integral unit from galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic or other non-corrosive, durable materials. The wall closure 10 includes an anchoring flange 20, upper flanges 30 and intermediate portions 40. The anchoring flange 20 is structured and a disposed for mating attachment to the top end 16 of the vertical wall 14 on the roof structure using an approved fastener 22. The intermediate portions 40 extend upwardly from the anchoring flange to the opposite upper flanges 30, forming a gap or area of depth 42 to provide means for ventilation of the roof structure at the vertical wall or parapet. This allows for escape of moisture and gasses which otherwise remain trapped within the roof system, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature roof failure and extending the life of the roof system. The upper flanges 30 extend from the intermediate portions 40 and define a mounting base for attachment of the wall coping 12. Parallel side panels 50,52 extend down opposite sides of the wall 17,18, below the top end 16 of the wall. The side panels 50,52 can be fastened to the respective opposite sides 17,18 of the wall 14 with fasteners 24 to enclose the top end 16 of the wall and prevent entry of moisture between the wall closure 10 and the vertical wall 14. The lower ends 60,62 of the side panels 50,52 are angled outwardly to provide added rigidity and strength to the wall closure 10.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wall closure for installation over the top end of a vertical wall on a roof structure, wherein the vertical wall includes a top surface and opposite side surfaces;

said wall closure comprising:

an integral, one-piece body comprising: a central longitudinal anchoring flange for mating attachments to the top surface of the vertical wall; first and second longitudinal upper flanges on opposite sides of said anchoring flange; a first intermediate portion between said anchoring flange and said first longitudinal upper flange and a second intermediate portion between said anchoring flange and said second longitudinal flange; a first side panel extending down from said first longitudinal upper flange for mating, overlapping attachment to one of the opposite side surfaces of the vertical wall and a second side panel extending down from said second longitudinal upper flange for mating, overlapping attachment to the other of the opposite side surfaces of the vertical wall; and at least one of said first and second side panels having an outwardly angled lower end portion structured and disposed to extend away from the vertical wall.

2. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

each of the first and second side panels having said outwardly angled lower portion, and said outwardly angled lower portion of each of the first and second side panels being structured and disposed to extend away from the respective one of the opposite side surfaces.

3. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second side panels are structured for overlapping attachment to the opposite side surfaces of the vertical wall to prevent entry of moisture between the wall closure and the vertical wall.

4. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 wherein said outwardly angled lower end portion provides increased rigidity and strength to said integral, one-piece body.

5. The wall closure as recited in claim 2 wherein said outwardly angled lower portion of said first and second side panels, is structured and disposed for providing increased rigidity and strength to said integral, one-piece body.

6. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral, one-piece body is formed of galvanized steel.

7. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral, one-piece body is formed of aluminum.

8. The wall closure as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral, one-piece body is formed of plastic.

9. A wall closure for installation over the top end of a vertical wall on a roof structure, wherein the vertical wall includes a top surface and opposite side surfaces;

said wall closure comprising:

an integral, one-piece body comprising: a central longitudinal anchoring flange for mating attachments to the top surface of the vertical wall; first and second longitudinal upper flanges on opposite sides of said anchoring flange; a first intermediate portion between said anchoring flange and said first longitudinal upper flange and a second intermediate portion between said anchoring flange and said second longitudinal flange; a first side panel extending down from said first longitudinal upper flange for mating, overlapping attachment to one of the opposite side surfaces of the vertical wall and a second side panel extending down from said second longitudinal upper flange for mating, overlapping attachment to the other of the opposite side surfaces of the vertical wall; and said first and second side panels each having an outwardly angled lower end portion structured and disposed to extend away from respective opposite side wall surface of the vertical wall and said outwardly angle lower portion of said first and second side panels providing increased rigidity and strength to said integral, one-piece body.