GB2239274A

GB2239274A - Gutter/fascia/soffit unit

Info

Publication number: GB2239274A
Application number: GB9027753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Mcdermott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-21
Filing date: 1990-12-21
Publication date: 1991-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-21
Also published as: IE894156A1; GB9027753D0; GB2239274B

Abstract

The rear wall 13 of the gutter 14 forms the upper half of the fascia which is attachable to a separate, lower fascia member 16 which is either integrally formed with a soffit 17 or adjustably supports a separate soffit. The soffit may have drain slits 18 and ducts for cables. A barge board unit may join the soffit. <IMAGE>

Description

COMBINATION GUTTER. FASCIA AND SOFFIT SYSTEM The present invention relates to a combination gutter, fascia and soffit system, in particular to a two-part system comprising an integral gutter and half-fascia component and an integral half-fascia and soffit component which may be assembled in situ on a building. A three-part system including a separate soffit is also provided.

According to the present invention, there is provided a combination gutter, fascia and soffit system comprising a first component defining an integral gutter and half-fascia portion, a second component defining an integral soffit and half-fascia portion1 and means for uniting the said half-fascia portions, wherein the assembled components together define a full fascia.

Advantageously, the uniting means comprises mating male and female formations located along the gutter rear wall of the first component, and along a half-fascia edge of the second component.

Preferably, the components are adapted to mate together so as to form a substantially flush inside fascia surface.

Advantageously, the uniting means may comprise a groove defined in the gutter rear wall and a beading or the like along the said half-fascia edge adapted to be a press fit one within the other.

Preferably, the groove is relatively deep and there are provided a series of interengaging male and female formations between the surfaces of the groove and the surfaces of the said half-fascia edge, adapted to give a depth-adjustable press fit, allowing the height setting of the gutter relative to the soffit to be varied.

The uniting means may comprise a rebate in said gutter rear wall adapted to receive the said half-fascia edge, in combination with a strip member adapted to sandwich the half-fascia edge between it and the rebate in the gutter rear wall. The strip member may itself seat in a secondary rebate defined in the gutter rear wall so as to lie substantially flush with the gutter rear wall when in use.

Suitably, a rebate extending at least half way up the rear wall of the gutter is provided so as to give freedom for adjustment of the height setting of the gutter relative to the soffit.

The soffit preferably incorporates an integrally-formed concealed cable duct.

In a modification of the present invention, the second component is replaced by a half-fascia and a separate soffit to give a three component combination, such that the width of the soffit may be varied.

The half fascia in this instance most preferably underlaps the soffit.

Preferred embodiments of a combination gutter, fascia and soffit system in accordance with the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a cross-section of a combination gutter fascia and soffit in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, showing a detail of the assembly of the parts, Figure 2 shows a similar cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a gutter, a soffit with halffascia, and a strip member prior to assembly, in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 3a shows a detail in cross section of an alternative gutter mounting, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination gutter, fascia and soffit system in accordance with the invention, when installed on a building, Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination gutter, fascia and soffit in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, including a press fit arrangement, showing a detail of the assembly of the parts, Figures 6a to 6c show an alternative press fit arrangement in cross section, Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a soffit component incorporating a concealed cable duct, Figure 8 shows a cross-section of an alternative concealed cable duct arrangement, Figure 9 shows a cross-section of a three part combination gutter fascia and soffit system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, and Figure 10 shows a cross-section of a combined fascia and barge board arrangement for use in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a gutter 1 is moulded from glass-reinforced plastics material so as to define a substantially flat rear wall 2, a ledge 3 extending therefrom for fixing the gutter to the eaves of a building, and a longitudinal rebate 4 between the rear wall 2 and the bottom 5 of the gutter. The rebate 4 is adapted to receive the edge 6 of a half-fascia portion 7 which extends substantially at right angles to a soffit portion 8 of an integrally-formed half-fascia and soffit component 9. A flat strip 10, also of glass-reinforced plastics material is provided which is preferably resin-bonded to the rear wall 2 of the gutter so as to define a groove between it and the rebate 4.

The strip 10 may be bonded to the gutter 1 prior to assembly of the two components 1 and 9, or it may be adhered during assembly of the components if desired. The groove so formed between the strip 10 and the rebate 4 preferably provides a firm fit for the reception of the half-fascia, which may if desired be sealed thereto by use of adhesives.

It will be appreciated that the gutter1 fascia, and soffit are formed by simply assembling the two components described above, which saves time and labour, and provides an attractive finish.

Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement where a secondary rebate 11 is provided for reception of the strip 10, such that the strip 10 and rear wall 2 of the gutter are flush in the assembled configuration.

Figure 3 shows yet another arrangement which is a favoured embodiment in that a deep rebate 12 is provided in the rear wall 2 of the gutter and a wider strip 10 is provided, which together form a deeper groove for reception of the top edge 6 of the half-fascia 7. The advantage of this arrangement is that the deeper groove allows a degree of freedom of movement of the half-fascia 7 while fitting, such that the spacing between the bottom 5 of the gutter and the soffit 8 may be varied without the need to cut the edge 6 of the half-fascia 7 to size.

When using glass-reinforced plastics material difficulties may arise in moulding a groove for reception of the half-fascia. Thus, it is simpler to provide a separate strip member 10 which may be joined to the gutter to form a groove.

Figure 3a shows an alternative gutter mounting comprising a ledge 3 with a downwardly projecting edge 3a, which in use hooks over a fillet nailed over the rafters so as to secure the gutter component 1 in place. Holes may also be provided in the ledge 3 to nail the unit to the rafters.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the invention, which is most suitably made by extruding the components from thermoplastics material. In this method of manufacture, it is possible to form a groove 12 at the base of the rear wall 13 of a combined gutter and half-fascia component 14. Furthermore, the groove may be formed with a larger cross-section at the base, so as to engage a beading 15 along the edge of the half-fascia portion 16 of an integrally-formed and extruded half-fascia and soffit component 17. It is preferable to form vent slits 18 in the ridge portions 19 of the soffit to allow internal condensation water to escape.

Figures 6a and 6b show an alternative press fit arrangement whereby the half-fascia portion 160 is formed with small indents 161 along opposite sides thereof, which may extend longitudinally as grooves, whilst the side surfaces of the groove 120 are provided with corresponding male formations or ridges 121. The formations are formed in such a way that once the half-fascia 160 is pushed into the groove 120, the formations interengage in the manner of a non-return clasp. Thus, it is possible to push the half-fascia portions together and provide for height adjustability between the bottom of the gutter and the soffit. If the soffit component is pushed too far, the walls of the groove 120 may be forced apart so as to release the soffit unit. It will be appreciated that a considerable advantage of the extruded units is that it is possible to form an integral groove in one of the units and furthermore formations may be formed which allow for a press- or snap-fitting interengagement which may obviate the need for any adhesives.

Units may be formed as a continuous extrusion and severed to form the desired length.

Figure 6c shows the two units when assembled.

Figures 7 and 8 show soffit units which are extruded in thermoplastics material, incorporating an integrally-formed concealed cable duct 20.

A lath 21, which is preferably a snap- or sliding-fit with the duct 20 fits flush with the soffit profile so as to conceal the duct 20. In use, this duct may be used to conceal television or telephone cables which are often nailed to the soffit board and are unsightly.

Figure 9 shows a modification of the invention as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, wherein a separate soffit board 8a is provided which is underlapped by the half-fascia component 7. Thus, a three-component combination gutter fascia and soffit unit is also provided, which allows for a degree of freedom for adjustment in the width of the soffit, i.e. from the fascia to the exterior wall of the building.

The method of joining the components together may be adapted so as to join a barge board and soffit together, to allow for internal and external corner sections, downpipe sections, etc. so that a complete guttering system is provided.

Figure 10 illustrates an integrally-formed barge board and soffit unit which may be used in conjunction with the invention. A mounting ledge 22 protrudes outwardly at the top of the barge board 23, which may be covered by a cement edging formed along the gable end roof tiles, in use.

Claims

1. A combination gutter, fascia and soffit system comprising a first component defining an integral gutter and half-fascia portion, a second component defining an integral soffit and half-fascia portion, and means for uniting the said half-fascia portions, wherein the assembled components together define a full fascia.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the uniting means comprises mating male and female formations located along the gutter rear wall of the first component, and along a half-fascia edge of the second component.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the components are adapted to mate together so as to form a substantially flush inside fascia surface.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the uniting means comprises a groove defined in the gutter rear wall and a beading or the like along the said half-fascia edge adapted to be a press fit one within the other.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the groove is relatively deep and there are provided a series of interengaging male and female formations between the surfaces of the groove and the surfaces of the said half-fascia edge, adapted to give a depth-adjustable press fit, allowing the height setting of the gutter relative to the soffit to be varied.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the uniting means comprises a rebate in said gutter rear wall adapted to receive the said half-fascia edge, in combination with a strip member adapted to sandwich the half-fascia edge between it and the rebate in the gutter rear wall.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the strip member itself seats in a secondary rebate defined in the gutter rear wall so as to lie substantially flush with the gutter rear wall when in use.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 wherein a rebate extending at least half way up the rear wall of the gutter is provided so as to give freedom for adjustment of the height setting of the gutter relative to the soffit.

9. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the soffit incorporates an integrally formed concealed cable duct.

10. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims with the modification that the second component is replaced by a half-fascia and a separate soffit to give a three component combination, such that the width of the soffit may be varied by moving the soffit towards said half-fascia.

11. A system as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the said half-fascia underlaps the soffit.

12. A combination gutter, fascia and soffit system as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any of Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A combination gutter, fascia and soffit system as claimed in Claim 10 and substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A combination barge board and soffit substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.