FASCIA BOARD CONNECTOR
A fascia system for a building is disclosed. The fascia system includes a sheet of material comprising a first part and a second part, as well as a first fascia board and a second fascia board. The first part is coupled to three sides of the first fascia board, and the second fascia board is held in a predetermined relationship 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 second part has a shape which is a mirror image of the shape of the first part. In some embodiments the sheet of material is composed of galvanized metal. In some embodiments a decorative pattern is applied to the sheet of material. A connector for connecting two boards is disclosed comprising a sheet of material further comprising 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.
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 INVENTIONThe 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 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 minor 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.
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.
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
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
Sheet of material 111a as shown in
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
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
Sheet of material 111a in the embodiment of fascia 104 shown in
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.
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.
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
Sheet of material 111b is coupled to three sides of fascia board 122 using screws 164 (one of multiple screws 164 labeled in
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
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 labeled in
A method of repairing fascia boards is disclosed herein as shown in
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.
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.
Claims
1. A fascia system for a building comprising:
- 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 fascia board, 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.
2. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein the first part has a shape and the second part has a shape, wherein the shape of the second part is a minor image of the shape of the first part.
3. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein a fold in the sheet of material is positioned according to a divot in the sheet of material.
4. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is composed of galvanized metal.
5. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is shaped as a concave decahedron.
6. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is shaped as a concave nonahedron.
7. The fascia system of claim 1, wherein a decorative pattern is applied to the sheet of material.
8. A connector for connecting two boards comprising:
- a sheet of material comprising 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.
9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the sheet of material has a thickness between 0.01 inches and 0.30 inches.
10. The connector of claim 8, wherein the first part is coupled to three sides of the first board.
11. The connector of claim 8, wherein the sheet of material is composed of galvanized metal.
12. The connector of claim 8, wherein a decorative pattern is applied to the sheet of material.
13. The connector of claim 8, wherein the sheet of material is folded along a fold line defined by a divot.
14. The connector of claim 8, wherein the sheet of material has a decorative shape.
15. A method of repairing fascia boards comprising:
- 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 the 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.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- 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.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein attaching a first part of a sheet of material to a first fascia board comprises attaching a first part of a sheet of material to a first fascia board using screws.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- folding the first part such that a decorative pattern is exposed.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- applying a decorative pattern to the sheet of material.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- cutting the sheet of material into a decorative shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 5, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 7, 2011
Inventor: Kamal Benyamin Yousif (Glendale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/573,572
International Classification: E04B 1/38 (20060101); E04D 13/15 (20060101); E04G 23/02 (20060101); E04G 23/03 (20060101);