One-Piece Roof Flashing

Abstract

An integral one-piece roof flashing for preventing moisture from passing between a vent pipe and a roof. The flashing, preferably of plastic, includes a base having an aperture and a laterally-extending planar flange with a raised center portion. An upstanding outer sleeve is joined to the center portion by a flexible corrugated portion of the flashing. A downwardly-depending inner sleeve has a top end joined to the distal end of the outer sleeve, extends into the outer sleeve, and is adapted for receipt into the top end of the vent pipe. The corrugated portion flexes to allow the outer sleeve to be angled up and down the pitch direction of the roof, side to side, and to extend to accommodate different roof pitch angles and vent pipe heights. A scale on the base allows the vent pipe height to be measured to ensure that it is within acceptable limits.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO COMPACT DISC(S)

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to roofing of buildings, and in particular, to a so-called “roof flashing” for preventing moisture from passing between a vent pipe and a roof where the vent pipe passes through the roof.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

When a vent pipe passes through a roof of a building, such as a roof of a residential home or other building, it is necessary to prevent water and moisture from passing between the vent pipe and the roof in the region where the vent pipe passes through and emerges upwardly from a hole in the roof. It is well-known to use a prior art “roof flashing” to accomplish this, which may be done for new home construction or for remedial re-roofing of a residential home. While it would be desirable that an installed roof flashing last forever, in practice the roof flashing only needs to function properly without deterioration for a period of time that is longer than the life of the roof's shingles because the roof flashing can and often must be replaced when new shingles are installed onto the roof. Prior art roof flashings that use rubber materials are known to deteriorate and leak before the roof shingles need to be replaced.

Often, the orientation of the roof at the roof hole is pitched at a roof pitch angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and the pitch of the roof can vary from roof to roof. Furthermore, the vent pipe can pass through the roof at a somewhat arbitrary vent pipe angle with respect to the upper surface of the roof. While it is desirable that the vent pipe be vertical, often the vent pipe will be non-vertical, with the vent pipe being oriented at a non-zero polar angle as measured with respect to the vertical plane along the direction of the roof's rise. This combination of differing roof pitch angles from roof to roof, and somewhat varying vent pipe angle and vent pipe polar orientation from roof to roof, mandates that a roof flashing must accommodate both the roof pitch angle and the vent pipe angle and polar orientation for a given roof. Still furthermore, the vent pipe projection height, defined as the distance that the distal end of the vent pipe extends above the upper surface of the roof, may vary from one vent pipe to another, and this height variation often must be accommodated when installing a roof flashing.

Many approaches have been tried by prior art roof flashings. The majority of prior art roof flashings installed on new homes or for re-roofing of a residential dwelling are necessarily of a two-piece construction, such that a flexible rubber boot spherical cap, having a centrally-disposed first hole for sealingly fitting around the upwardly-extending vent pipe, is placed atop an upwardly-extending spherical cap on a generally planar base of the roof flashing, in which the spherical cap of the base of the roof flashing has an enlarged second hole therethrough, such that the interface between the rubber boot spherical cap and the spherical cap of the base of the roof flashing may be adjustably oriented to accommodate varying roof pitches and vent pipe angles. While such prior art two-piece roof flashings with a rubber boot spherical cap may initially provide a good watertight seal between the sides of the vent pipe and the base of the roof flashing, over time the rubber deteriorates due to age and heating, and the boot begins to crack and thus leak around the vent pipe. It is known in the prior art to retrofit such aged and leaking rubber boot spherical caps by installing a so-called “repair collar” atop the leaking rubber boot spherical cap, in which the repair collar is simply yet another flexible rubber boot cap with a centrally-disposed hole through which the vent pipe passes, and, because of the relative lack of aging of the repair collar as compared to the leaking rubber boot spherical cap therebeneath, the flexibility of the rubber of the repair collar can seal to the vent pipe and thus stop the leaking of the aged roof flashing. Of course, over time, the rubber of the repair collar will also deteriorate, causing the repaired roof flashing to leak as time passes.

To address the deterioration of rubber boots of prior art roof flashings, it is known to make roof flashings out of metal, such as lead or aluminum. One prior art approach is to provide a roof flashing made of lead or aluminum having a “pre-bent” upstanding sleeve that is welded or otherwise sealed to the base plate flange at a pre-determined angle chosen for a certain roof pitch. Often the top of the upstanding sleeve is sealed to the vent pipe using caulking, which causes the seal between the sleeve of the roof flashing and the vent pipe to deteriorate over time. Another approach for such metal roof flashings with a “pre-bent” upstanding sleeve is to have a top cap or “counter flashing” that is received atop the sleeve of the roof flashing, with an outer sleeve of the counter flashing being received about the outer sleeve of the roof flashing, and with a downwardly-depending inner sleeve of the counter flashing extending into the top of the vent pipe, the outer sleeve of the counter flashing being sealed to the inner sleeve of the counter flashing by an annular ring at the top of the counter flashing cap. Such a prior art “counter flashing” cap is sold by FlashCo Manufacturing, Inc., 1452 Industrial Ave., Sebastopol, Calif. 95472, for use with a fixed-angle all-lead roof flashing that is sold by FlashCo Manufacturing under the trademark L-SERIES flashing. Still another approach for all-lead roof flashings with a “pre-bent” upstanding sleeve is to fold over the top of the upstanding sleeve into the top of the vent pipe during installation of the roof flashing, thereby preventing moisture from passing between the exterior of the vent pipe and the roof through the hole in the roof through which the vent pipe emerges. Such an approach, while durable because the lead roof flashing does not deteriorate, has a disadvantage of using lead, which is detrimental to the health when ingested, and also somewhat constricts the air flow through the vent pipe due to the lead flashing being folded down into the top of the vent pipe, often leaving projecting crimps and folds that restrict air flow through the vent pipe. Because all “pre-bent” roof flashing solutions only accommodate a single roof pitch, it is necessary to inventory a variety of such fixed-angle roof flashings so that the correct pitch angle of roof flashing can be used for a given roof pitch.

One piece prior art flexible all-rubber roof flashings are also known that have a corrugated section to allow the roof flashing to flex and accommodate a range of roof pitches, with the vent pipe sticking out a centrally-disposed hole in the rubber roof flashing, and in which the centrally-disposed hole in the rubber roof flashing seals to the outer surface of the vent pipe. Like other prior art rubber boots used with two-piece roof flashings, these all-rubber roof flashings deteriorate over time and leak.

Another all-metal (aluminum) two-piece roof flashing is described in Poitras, U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,960 (issued Dec. 26, 2000), and sold under the trademark VENT 2000 by that inventor's company. To allow that all-metal two-piece roof flashing to accommodate a range of roof pitch angles, the upstanding sleeve of this roof flashing is joined by a corrugated metal portion to the metal base plate. A bending tool (the so-called “Folding Machine 2000”) is used during installation of the VENT 2000 product, and grips the base plate of the VENT 2000 product while bending force is applied to a lever arm inserted into the top of the upstanding sleeve and engaging the interior wall of the upstanding sleeve, thereby causing the angle of the upstanding sleeve to change as the corrugated metal portion becomes bent due to the force applied to the lever arm, while the engagement of the lever arm with the interior wall of the upstanding sleeve prevents buckling of the upstanding sleeve during the bending process. After the upstanding sleeve has been bent to the desired angle and the VENT 2000 product is removed from the bending tool, the VENT 2000 roof flashing is then installed over a vent pipe and a sleeve cap, similar to the counter flashing top cap sold by FlashCo Manufacturing, Inc., as discussed above, is placed over the top of the upstanding sleeve to prevent moisture and water from flowing down the exterior surface of the vent pipe and through the vent pipe's roof hole. The two-piece construction of the VENT 2000, with a removable top cap, is necessary so that the lever arm of the Folding Machine 2000 installation tool can be inserted into the top of the upstanding sleeve and forceably engage the inner walls of the upstanding sleeve, thereby preventing buckling of the upstanding sleeve, during the bending procedure prior to installation of the roof flashing.

In addition to the Poitras patent, mentioned above, the following patents disclose various approaches used by prior art roof flashings: Kifer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,407 (issued Jul. 2, 1985); Kifer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,997 (issued Feb. 27, 1990); and Rodriguez et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,267 (issued Dec. 31, 1996).

None of these references or prior art devices, either singly or in combination, discloses or suggests the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an integral one-piece roof flashing for preventing moisture and water from passing between a vent pipe and a roof where the vent pipe passes through the roof at a vent pipe angle with respect to an upper surface of the roof. The roof flashing includes a base plate having an aperture therethrough with a laterally-extending planar flange around the base plate's aperture, an upstanding outer sleeve defining a first longitudinal passage therethrough and with the outer sleeve having a proximal and a distal end, and a corrugated portion defining a second longitudinal passage therethrough, in which the corrugated portion flexingly and sealingly joins the proximal end of the outer sleeve to the base plate about the aperture. The corrugated portion is intermediate the base plate and the proximal end of said outer sleeve. The aperture, the second longitudinal passage, and the first longitudinal passage are adapted for mutually receiving the vent pipe thereinto with the planar flange resting upon the upper surface of the roof. As the roof flashing is dropped onto the vent pipe, the corrugated portion flexes to align the outer sleeve at the vent pipe angle with respect to said planar flange. The corrugated portion allows the outer sleeve to flex front to back, side to side, and up and down to accommodate different vent pipe heights and roof pitch angles. The roof flashing further includes a downwardly-depending inner sleeve having a top end integrally and immovably joined to the distal end of said outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is adapted for being received into a top end of the vent pipe with the planar flange resting upon the upper surface of the roof.

The planar flange of the base plate preferably includes measurement indicia thereon for measuring the length of the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe is within a minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of the roof so that successful installation can be accomplished. Preferably, the roof flashing is molded from a plastic.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof flashing that is more durable than prior art roof flashings, and which does not leak after the roof flashing has been installed on a roof during the life of the roof. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roof flashing that can accommodate a wide angles of roof pitches and vent pipe heights, and which does not require bending tools during installation. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means for determining whether the vent pipe height is within acceptable limits prior to installation of the roof flashing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention shown installed on a roof having a smaller diameter vent pipe extending therethrough.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing flexing of the corrugated portion to move the outer sleeve from an angular range of at least 45 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the planar flange of the base plate, and showing the corrugated portion allowing extension of the outer sleeve in a longitudinal direction therealong away from the base plate.

FIG. 4 is a left side sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 2 but with the roof removed for clarity and showing a larger diameter vent pipe extending into the roof flashing.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the measurement indicia.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right side sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 2 but with the roof removed for clarity, showing a smaller diameter vent pipe extending into the roof flashing.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing flexing of the corrugated portion to move the outer sleeve through an angular range with respect to the planar flange of the base plate, and showing the corrugated portion allowing extension of the outer sleeve in a longitudinal direction therealong away from the base plate.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention showing the measurement indicia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures of the drawings, two preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. There are many similarities between the various embodiments, and only the differences between the embodiments will be discussed in detail, it being understood that similar structure for the various embodiments serves similar purpose. The reference numerals for the various parts of the embodiments shall be understood to have a prefix identifying the particular embodiments (e.g., “1.”, “2.”) and a suffix identifying the particular structure (e.g., “20”, etc.), such that reference numerals with the same suffix are understood to be similar structure particular to each of the different embodiments (e.g., “1.20”, “2.20”). Reference numerals without a prefix (e.g., “22”) shall be understood to indicate environmental structure that is substantially the same for all embodiments.

FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings show the structure and use of the first embodiment 1.20 of the roof flashing of the present invention, and FIGS. 6-9 of the drawings show the structure of the second embodiment 2.20 of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, roof flashing 1.20 is for preventing moisture and water from passing between a vent pipe 22 and a roof 24 where the vent pipe 22 passes through the roof Roof 24 is of well-known construction, and may have wood planking 26 mounted upon rafters (not shown), and roofing paper 28 is typically placed atop the wood planking 26 for waterproofing the roof, thereby defining a generally planar upper surface 36 of the roof 24. Like prior art roof flashings, the roof flashing of the present invention typically sits atop the roofing paper 28. Atop roofing paper 28 are typically installed a plurality of overlapping shingles 30 in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art. A hole 32 is typically cut through the roof 24 so that the well-known vent pipe 22, often constructed of metal or plastic, may pass through the roof. Unless a barrier, such as a roof flashing, is interposed between the roof and the vent pipe 22, water and moisture will pass through the hole 32 and into the building below.

Vent pipes such as vent pipe 22 are typically provided in a number of standard diameters such as 1.5 or 2.0 inches (3.81 or 5.08 cm) that must be accommodated by roof flashings such as that of the present invention. Because roof pitches vary from building to building and roof to roof, the vent pipe 22 emerges through the roof at a vent pipe angle 34 with respect to the upper surface 36 of the roof 24.

As contrasted with prior art roof flashings, both embodiments 1.20 and 2.20 of the roof flashing of the present invention are of an integral one-piece construction, and lack any interface or seam between parts of the roof flashing from the engagement of the roof flashing with the vent pipe to the base plate of the roof flashing. Unlike the VENT 2000 roof flashing product, no bending tool is required for installation of the present invention, which simply drops over the vent pipe onto the roof surface and becomes self-aligning. Both embodiments 1.20 and 2.20 of the present invention are preferably formed from plastic, preferably polypropylene, as by being moldedly formed, but other plastics could be used instead, such as, for example, polyethylene, flexible polyvinylchloride (“PVC”), polyurethane, or polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The two desirable qualities of the material from which the roof flashing of the present invention is made are (1) the material should be somewhat flexible so that the roof flashing may flex to accommodate a range of vent pipe angles with respect to the upper surface of the roof, in a manner hereinafter described in detail, and (2) the material should be durable and preferably not crack or deteriorate due to heat and age after the roof flashing is installed on a roof, at least not before replacement roof shingles need to be installed on the roof.

Roof flashing 1.20 comprises a base plate 1.38, an upstanding outer sleeve 1.40, and a corrugated portion 1.42. It should be understood that the term “corrugated portion”, as used herein, broadly encompasses similar structure and construction such as a pleated portion or an accordion portion, the essential function being performed by portion 1.42 being the flexing of portion 1.42 to accommodate different angles of vent pipe and roof pitches by a single roof flashing 1.20. Additionally, as hereinafter described in detail, corrugated portion 1.42 also permits the outer sleeve 1.40 to extendingly move in a longitudinal direction therealong to accommodate a range of heights for the vent pipe 22.

Base plate 1.38 has an aperture 1.44 therethrough and includes a laterally-extending substantially planar flange 1.46 around aperture 1.44 so that planar flange 1.46 may rest upon the upper surface 36 of roof 24. Preferably, planar flange 1.46 may have a plurality of transverse holes or depressions 1.48 through which roofing nails 1.50 may respectively be nailed into the roof 24 during installation of the roof flashing 1.20 so as to secure the roof flashing 1.20 to the roof 24.

Upstanding outer sleeve 1.40 defines a first longitudinal passage 1.52 therethrough, and outer sleeve 1.40 has a proximal end 1.54 and a distal end 1.56.

Base plate 1.38 preferably includes a raised center portion 1.58 that is raised above the plane of planar flange 1.46 and surrounding aperture 1.44. The center portion may have a low profile and be only slightly raised, as shown by center portion 2.58 of the second embodiment 2.20 of the present invention, or it may have a higher profile and be substantially raised, as shown by center portion 1.58 of the first embodiment 1.20 of the present invention. Center portion 1.58 may have a downwardly-sloping peripheral wall 1.60 that joins with planar flange 1.46, just as center portion 2.58 has a smaller downwardly-sloping peripheral wall 2.60 that joins with planar flange 2.46 of the second embodiment 2.20.

The interior of corrugated portion 1.42 defines a second longitudinal passage 1.62 therethrough, and corrugated portion 1.42 flexingly and sealingly joins proximal end 1.54 of outer sleeve 1.40 to center portion 1.58 of base plate 1.38 about aperture 1.44, with corrugated portion 1.42 being intermediate base plate 1.38 and proximal end 1.54 of outer sleeve 1.40. Aperture 1.44, second longitudinal passage 1.62, and first longitudinal passage 1.52 are adapted for mutually receiving vent pipe 22 thereinto with planar flange 1.46 resting upon the upper surface 36 of roof 24, with corrugated portion 1.42 flexing as needed to align outer sleeve 1.40 at vent pipe angle 34 with respect to planar flange 1.46.

Roof flashing 1.20 further comprises a downwardly-depending inner sleeve 1.64 having a top end 1.66 that is integrally and immovably joined to distal end 1.56 of outer sleeve 1.40. Inner sleeve 1.64 is adapted for being received into a top end 68 of vent pipe 22 with planar flange 1.46 resting upon the upper surface 36 of roof 24. The inner diameter 1.70 of outer sleeve 1.40 determines the largest-diameter vent pipe 22′ that can be accommodated by roof flashing 1.20 (see FIG. 4, where larger vent pipe 22′ has an outer diameter of 72′), and the outer diameter 1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64 determines the smallest-diameter vent pipe 22 that can be accommodated by roof flashing 1.20 (see FIG. 2, where smaller vent pipe 22 has an inner diameter of 76. If the difference between inner diameter 1.70 of outer sleeve 1.40 and the outer diameter 1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64, which necessarily must be at least as great as the wall thickness of a standard vent pipe (such as vent pipe 22 or 22′), is selected to be substantially larger than the wall thickness of a standard vent pipe, then a plurality of standard vent pipe sizes (i.e., both vent pipe 22 and vent pipe 22′) can be accommodated by a single size roof flashing 1.20, thereby reducing inventory stocking needs for roof flashings of the present invention. A possible downside of having such a substantially larger difference between the inner diameter 1.70 of outer sleeve 1.40 and the outer diameter 1.74 of inner sleeve 1.64 is a concern that the smaller inner sleeve diameter, somewhat smaller than the inner sleeve diameter that could be used with larger vent pipe 22′, might constrict somewhat the air flow through the larger vent pipe 22′, as compared to the air flow that would be possible through larger vent pipe 22′ if a larger inner sleeve diameter had been chosen. However, even with the smaller inner sleeve diameter, the constriction of the air flow through larger vent pipe 22′ is no greater than the reduced air flow seen when prior art lead roof flashings are used in which the lead flashing is folded over into the top of the vent pipe during installation, and the air flow has been found to be acceptable through the vent pipe when such prior art lead roof flashings are used in which the lead flashing is folded over into the top of the vent pipe during installation.

Downwardly-depending inner sleeve 1.64 is preferably tapered slightly inwardly toward the bottom to ease insertion into the vent pipe during installation of the roof flashing.

The bottom corrugation 1.78 of corrugated portion 1.42 is seen to define a bottom corrugation plane 1.80 that establishes a nominal or starting angle orientation 1.82 of outer sleeve 1.40 with respect to planar flange 1.46. Starting angle orientation 1.82 of outer sleeve 1.40 with respect to planar flange 1.46 is defined as the planar angle between bottom corrugation plane 1.80 and planar flange 1.46, and defines the nominal orientation of outer sleeve 1.40 before front to back flexing of corrugated portion 1.42 occurs, where the “front” 1.84 of roof flashing 1.20 is oriented “down” the roof and the “back” of roof flashing is oriented “up” the roof. As corrugated portion 1.42 flexes front to back in response to front to back angular movement of outer sleeve 1.40 to match the orientation of the vent pipe, outer sleeve 1.40 moves through a first range of angles from a backmost angle 1.88, preferably of at least +45 degrees, to a frontmost angle 1.90, preferably at least −45 degrees, with respect to its starting angle orientation 1.82. By comparison of the first embodiment 1.20 of the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in which the starting angle orientation 1.82 is rather substantial, with the second embodiment 2.20 of the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 6-9, in which the starting angle orientation 2.82 is near zero, caused by the lower profile of center portion 2.58 of second embodiment 2.20 as compared with the substantially raised center portion 1.58 of first embodiment 1.20, it will be understood that the structure and orientation chosen for the center portion (1.58, 2.58) determines the nominal or starting angle orientation (1.82, 2.82) of the outer sleeve (1.40, 2.40), about which the outer sleeve may move angularly back to front to align with the vent pipe. Second embodiment 2.20 is thus seen to be better suited to be used on unpitched or “flat” roofs (near horizontal) in which the vent pipe angle 34′ is substantially ninety degrees with respect to the upper surface of the roof (as best seen in FIG. 7), while first embodiment 1.20 is seen to be better suited to be used on substantially-pitched and steep roofs. Just as outer sleeve 1.40 of first embodiment 1.20 moves through a first range of angles, from backmost angle 1.88 to frontmost angle 1.90, with respect to its starting angle orientation 1.82, outer sleeve 2.40 of second embodiment 2.20 likewise moves through a first range of angles, from backmost angle 2.88 to frontmost angle 2.90, with respect to its starting angle orientation. However, because the planar angle between bottom corrugation 2.78 and planar flange 2.46 of second embodiment 2.20 is substantially zero, the movement of outer sleeve 2.40 through its first range of angles is substantially back and forth from a nominally vertical orientation 2.82 of outer sleeve 2.40 with respect to planar flange 2.46.

By comparison of the first embodiment 1.20 of the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 1-5 with the second embodiment 2.20 of the roof flashing as shown in FIGS. 6-9, another difference between the two embodiments is that corrugated portion 1.42 of first embodiment 1.20 is generally frusto-conical in shape, as compared with corrugated portion 2.42 of second embodiment 2.20, which is generally cylindrical in shape. It should be understood, without departing from the full intended scope of the present invention, that the generally frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 of first embodiment 1.20 could be substituted for the generally cylindrical corrugated portion 2.42 on the low-profile center portion 2.58 of second embodiment 2.20, and the generally cylindrical corrugated portion 2.42 of second embodiment 2.20 could likewise be substituted for the generally frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 on the substantially raised center portion 1.58 of first embodiment 1.20. The larger diameter base of generally frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 at bottommost corrugation 1.78 permits a wider range of flexing of corrugated portion 1.42 than is possible with generally cylindrical corrugated portion 2.42. Accordingly, a generally frusto-conical corrugated portion 1.42 should be used for those situations where a greater movement of the outer sleeve is required through the first range of angles about the starting angle orientation of the outer sleeve, whereas a generally cylindrical corrugated portion 2.42 may be used for those situations where a lesser movement of the outer sleeve is required about its starting angle orientation.

It will be further understood, as best seen in FIG. 3, as roof flashing 1.20 flexes at its corrugated portion 1.42, outer sleeve 1.40 moves through a second range of angles with respect to planar flange 1.46, from at least a minimum angle 1.92, preferably at least 45 degrees, to a maximum angle 1.94, preferably at least 90 degrees. Likewise, as best seen in FIG. 8, as roof flashing 2.20 flexes at its corrugated portion 2.42, outer sleeve 2.40 moves through a second range of angles with respect to its planar flange 2.46, from a minimum angle 2.92 to a maximum angle 2.94. As discussed hereinabove, because corrugated portion 2.42 is substantially cylindrical, rather than substantially frusto-conical like corrugated portion 1.42, and because bottom corrugation plane 2.80 is substantially parallel to planar flange 2.46, the front-to-back range of angular motion for outer sleeve 2.40 will be less than that for outer sleeve 1.40, and the range of motion for the second embodiment 2.20 will be about a different nominal or starting angle orientation than for the first embodiment 1.20.

It should be noted from FIGS. 3 and 8 that the corrugated portions 1.42 and 2.42, in addition to permitting angular movement of the outer sleeve, also permit the outer sleeve to simultaneously move in a longitudinal direction, outwardly along the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve, away from the aperture 1.44, 2.44 through the base plate 1.38, 2.38, so that taller vent pipes may be accommodated.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, both embodiments 1.20, 2.20 preferably include measurement indicia 1.96, 2.96 on the base plate 1.38, 2.38, preferably on the underside of planar flange 1.46, 2.46 of base plate 1.38, 2.38, for measuring the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe is within a minimum and maximum length (i.e., height) above the upper surface 36 of the roof. If the vent pipe is too short, then downwardly-depending inner sleeve 1.64, 2.64 will not reach inside the vent pipe when the roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 is installed. If the vent pipe is too tall, even allowing for the permitted outward movement of the outer sleeve 1.40, 2.40 as the corrugated portion 1.42, 2.42 flexes, then the planar flange 1.46, 2.46 of the base plate 1.38, 2.38 will not be able to reach and rest upon the upper surface 36 of the roof, when the roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 is installed, due to the abutting of the top of the vent pipe against the joining of the top end 1.66, 2.66 of inner sleeve 1.64 with the distal end 1.56, 2.56 of outer sleeve 1.40, 2.40. Preferably, the underside of planar flange 1.46, 2.46 may also have instructions 1.98, 2.98 thereon, instructing the roof flashing installer how to properly use the measurement indicia 1.96, 2.96 to check the vent pipe height prior to installation of the roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 on the roof.

Other aspects of the second embodiment need not be described in detail because the description of similar structure for the first embodiment will suffice for both embodiments.

To install either embodiment of the roof flashing of the present invention, the installer should first use the measurement indicia 1.96, 2.96 to ensure that the vent pipe height is within acceptable limits above the upper surface of the roof. The roof flashing 1.20, 2.20 is then dropped over the vent pipe, and roofing nails 1.50 are nailed through holes 1.48, 2.48 to anchor the base plate 1.38, 2.38 to the roof with planar flange 1.46, 2.46 resting upon the upper surface 36 of the roof, and with inner sleeve 1.64, 2.64 extending into the vent pipe in a manner hereinbefore described. As the planar flange 1.46, 2.46 comes to rest on the upper surface of the roof, the corrugated portion 1.42, 2.42 of the roof flashing will flex to allow the outer sleeve 1.40, 2.40 to become aligned with the vent pipe. Overlapping shingles may now be installed on the roof surface and overlapping the base plate 1.38, 2.38.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

Claims

1: An integral one-piece roof flashing for preventing moisture from passing between a vent pipe and a roof where the vent pipe passes through the roof at a vent pipe angle with respect to an upper surface of the roof, said roof flashing comprising:

(a) a base plate having an aperture therethrough and including a laterally-extending planar flange around said aperture;

(b) an upstanding outer sleeve defining a first longitudinal passage therethrough, said outer sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end;

(c) a corrugated portion defines a second longitudinal passage therethrough, said corrugated portion flexingly and sealingly joining said proximal end of said outer sleeve to said base plate about said aperture with said corrugated portion being intermediate said base plate and said proximal end of said outer sleeve; said aperture, said second longitudinal passage, and said first longitudinal passage being adapted for mutually receiving said vent pipe thereinto with said planar flange resting upon the upper surface of the roof with said corrugated portion flexing to align said outer sleeve at the vent pipe angle with respect to said planar flange;

(d) a downwardly-depending inner sleeve having a top end integrally and immovably joined to said distal end of said outer sleeve; said inner sleeve being adapted for being received into a top end of the vent pipe with said planar flange resting upon the upper surface of the roof.

2: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

3: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said corrugated portion includes a bottom corrugation that defines a bottom corrugation plane, said bottom corrugation plane establishing a starting angle orientation of said outer sleeve with respect to said planar flange, said starting angle orientation being defined as a planar angle between said bottom corrugation plane and said planar flange, such that said outer sleeve may move through a first range of angles, about said starting angle orientation from a backmost angle to a frontmost angle, as said corrugated portion flexes front to back.

4: The roof flashing as recited in claim 3, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

5: The roof flashing as recited in claim 4, in which said backmost angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least −45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation.

6: The roof flashing as recited in claim 3, in which said backmost angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least −45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation.

7: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said planar flange of said base plate includes measurement indicia thereon for measuring the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe is within a minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of the roof

8: The roof flashing as recited in claim 7, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

9: The roof flashing as recited in claim 7, in which said corrugated portion includes a bottom corrugation that defines a bottom corrugation plane, said bottom corrugation plane establishing a starting angle orientation of said outer sleeve with respect to said planar flange, said starting angle orientation being defined as a planar angle between said bottom corrugation plane and said planar flange, such that said outer sleeve may move through a first range of angles, about said starting angle orientation from a backmost angle to a frontmost angle, as said corrugated portion flexes front to back.

10: The roof flashing as recited in claim 9, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

11: The roof flashing as recited in claim 9, in which said backmost angle is at least +45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation, and said frontmost angle is at least −45 degrees with respect to said starting angle orientation.

12: The roof flashing as recited in claim 11, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

13: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said roof flashing flexes at said corrugated portion with said outer sleeve moving through a second range of angles from 45 to 90 degrees with respect to said planar flange and said outer sleeve may move in a longitudinal direction therealong away from said aperture as said corrugated portion becomes flexingly extended.

14: The roof flashing as recited in claim 13, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

15: The roof flashing as recited in claim 13, in which said planar flange of said base plate includes measurement indicia thereon for measuring the vent pipe to ensure that the top end of the vent pipe is within a minimum and maximum length above the upper surface of the roof.

16: The roof flashing as recited in claim 15, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.

17: The roof flashing as recited in claim 1, in which said corrugated portion has a generally frusto-conical shape.

18: The roof flashing as recited in claim 17, in which said roof flashing is made from a plastic.