Soffit structure

Abstract

A soffit structure which is a sheet member having an upper surface and bottom surface with a plurality of channels formed in the sheet members, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface and being defined by at least a pair of opposed side walls, with apertures formed in the side walls. The side walls are preferably angled slightly to provide a greater degree of protection for the apertures formed therein.

Description

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 10/780,193 filed Feb. 17, 2004, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a soffit structure and more particularly, relates to a novel soffit structure having vent means therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of soffit structures to provide ventilation to an attic or under the roof area is well known in the art. Thus, it has been known for years that ventilation of a space underneath a roof is necessary both during the summer and winter seasons. During the summer, if this area is not ventilated, the solar energy captured by the roof would generate excessive temperatures in the space. This will cause damage to many roofing materials and as well, would increase air-conditioning cost for the area below.

In winter, it is also required to ventilate the area since warm moist air escaping from heated areas below would, upon contact with the cold structural members, condense. This moisture would eventually lead to structural damage of wood components and can also cause dripping into the area below.

Generally, the area to be ventilated will comprise two different types of areas. Thus, in many sloping roof arrangements, there is provided a substantial open area, commonly called an attic, between the ceiling of the structure and the roof. In such an arrangement, different types of venting may be provided. One arrangement provides for a continuous vent along the ridge of the roof in conjunction with soffit vents. This is ideally arranged to create an air flow from the soffit through the ridge vent. Alternatively, various other types of vents may be provided in the end walls of the attic or in the roof itself. In all instances, the purpose is to provide a controlled airflow through the attic area.

In the case of cathedral ceilings, the airflow is typically between the rafters, extending from the soffit to an upper vent.

Generally soffits comprise a piece of sheet metal or other material through which apertures have been formed. While such soffits are widely accepted, they can, under certain conditions, permit the flow of precipitation upwardly through the apertures. Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal of such soffits is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a soffit structure which is both aesthetically attractive and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soffit structure comprising a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein the upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building, a plurality of channels formed in the sheet member, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface, at least one of the channels having a pair of opposed side walls, the at least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of the side walls thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soffit structure comprising a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein the upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building, a plurality of channels formed in the sheet member, the channels extending inwardly from the bottom surface, at least one channel being defined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, the at least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of the side walls, a cover member associated with the at least one channel, the cover member having a first end retained within the channel, and a cap portion located at a second end of the cover member.

The soffit system of the present invention may be used in any suitable building structure with residential housing being the most common type of building structure which uses soffit ventilation. The soffit is traditionally manufactured of a formed metal although it is also known in the art to use plastic soffit. It sufficies to say that any suitable material may be utilized in the practice of the present invention.

The channels are formed in the soffit by any suitable means, depending upon the material. Thus, using a metallic material such as aluminum, known forming equipment can easily form the channels. The channels preferably have a generally U-shaped configuration although in one embodiment it is even more preferred that the walls of the channels be angled such that they form an angle of between 75° and 88° with respect to the upper surface of the soffit. In other words, the base of the channel is slightly larger than the opening.

In the above embodiment, all the channels are provided with apertures although it will be understood that only some of the channels may be provided with the apertures depending upon the degree of ventilation required. Similarly, it is preferred that the apertures be formed in both side walls of the recess. However, it will again be understood that only one of the walls may be provided with such apertures.

Preferably, the apertures are sufficiently numerous and are of a size to meet the ventilation standards set in the building industry. Such standards are well known in the art. Generally, the apertures would arrange between 12 and 16 mm. The number of rows in each standard piece will vary depending upon the ventilation required.

In the second aspect of the invention, and as aforementioned, the soffit structure has a cover member which designed to be inserted in the channels for aesthetic purposes. Thus, the cover member will remove the ability to see the channels and the cover member may, if desired, carry decorative indicia.

The cover member is preferably a snap-fit construction such that it may easily be placed in the channel and withdrawn therefrom. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the cover member (or at least a portion thereof) is formed of a metal or plastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a soffit structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the soffit when used in a facia system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a soffit structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the placement of a cover member into one of the vent channels;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cover member; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a soffit structure which is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

Soffit structure 10 has a generally planar body 12 which has an upper surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. Formed in generally planar central body portion 12 are a plurality of generally U-shaped channels generally designated by reference numeral 18.

Each channel 18, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pair of opposed side walls 20, 22 which are connected by a bottom wall 24. As may best seen in FIG. 2, each side wall 20 and 22 is angled slightly so as to form an angle of approximately 85° between upper surface 12 and a respective side wall as indicated by angle 26.

In order to provide the ventilation, apertures 28 are provided in each of the walls 20 and 22.

In use, the soffit may be attached by conventional means such as mechanical fasteners or the like. However, it is preferred that the same be used in a system wherein it is supported at one edge by a facia support member 30 and a second support member 32 which is secured to the wall structure of the building.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6, there is illustrated therein a further version of the soffit structure of the present invention.

The soffit is generally designated by reference numeral 110 and includes a base component 112 with vent channels generally designated by numeral 114 extending in a parallel fashion.

Vent channels 114 are defined by first side wall 116 and a second side wall 118 which are substantially parallel. There is also an upper wall generally designated by reference numeral 130 which includes a first angled portion 122 and as second angled portion 124. At their lower extremities, first side wall 116 and second side wall 118 have inwardly extending C-shaped portions 126 and 127 respectively. C-shaped portions 126 and 127 connect with corrugated sections 128. A plurality of apertures 130 are provided in first side wall 116, second side wall 118 and upper wall 120.

At one end of each soffit panel, there is provided a connecting arrangement and which connecting arrangement is best seen in FIG. 3. As may be seen, second wall 118 is connected to a rearwardly extending top wall 134 and which terminates in a C-shaped portion 136.

A second soffit panel has first side wall 116 and a first angled portion 122. However, from first angled portion 122, there is provided a straight portion 140 and which terminates in a rearwardly extending C-shaped segment 142. From there, there is provided a second C-shaped section 138 passing through bight 144 and which terminates in a straight flange 148. Flange 148 may have apertures therein to receive a fastening member such as a nail 150.

In this embodiment, there is provided a channel cover and which is generally designated by reference numeral 154. Channel cover 154 has a bottom wall 156 which merges inwardly with C-shaped portions 158, 159. These are, in turn, connected to straight wall segments 160, 161 following which there are provided inwardly extending C-shaped segments 162, 163 and which terminate in end tapered sections 164, 165.

A cap generally designed by reference numeral 168 has a lower wall 170 which, at each end, passes through bights 172, 173 to form a top wall 174, 175. Top walls 174, 175 terminate in end sections 176, 177 which fit within C-shaped recesses 158, 159 respectively.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated a channel cover which is similar to that of FIGS. 4 to 6 and which will now be referred to. Similar reference numerals in the 200's are used for like components.

Channel cover 254 is formed as one piece and is inserted into the channels of the soffit. However, in this embodiment, there are provided a plurality of apertures 253 to permit the passage of air therethrough. One of the rows of apertures is preferably aligned with the apertures formed in the walls of the channels.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A soffit structure comprising:

a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein said upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building;

a plurality of channels formed in said sheet member, said channels extending inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel being defined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, each of said side walls and bottom wall being straight and planar, each of said side walls being angled so as to form an acute angle with said upper surface of said sheet member, said at least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of said side walls.

2. The soffit structure of claim 1, wherein each of said channels has apertures formed in at least one of said side walls.

3. The soffit structure of claim 2 wherein all of said side walls have apertures formed therein.

4. The soffit structure of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls form an angle of between 75° and 88° with respect to said upper surface.

5. The soffit structure of claim 1 wherein said sheet member is formed of a metallic material.

6. The soffit structure of claim 3 wherein said metallic material is aluminum.

7. The soffit structure of claim 4 wherein said channels extend transversely of said sheet member.

8. A soffit structure comprising:

a sheet member having an upper surface and a bottom surface wherein said upper surface is designed to lie against a structural member of a building and the bottom surface is facing exteriorly of the building;

a plurality of channels formed in said sheet member, said channels extending inwardly from said bottom surface, at least one channel being defined by first and second side walls and a bottom wall, said at least one channel having a plurality of apertures formed in at least one of said side walls;

a cover member associated with said at least one channel, said cover member having a first end retained within said channel, and a cap portion located at a second end of said cover member.

9. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein each of said side walls has an inwardly projecting portion designed to retain said first end of said cover member.

10. The soffit structure of claim 9 wherein said cap portion includes outwardly extending portions to cover said vent channels.

11. The soffit structure of claim 8 wherein said cover member has a plurality of apertures formed therein.