ADJUSTABLE WATER DIVERSION FRAMING SYSTEM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. Nonprovisional Application, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/684,588 filed Aug. 19, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to the fields of roofing materials and roof framing systems. Chimneys and other vertical projections, such as sky lights and vent pipes from a roof are prone to collecting pooling water behind or along their upslope interface with the roof after rainfall or from snowmelt. Pooling water on a roof will eventually penetrate the roof covering and result in a water leak inside the structure, which can lead to mold growth and rot over time. A common solution to prevent the pooling of water behind these vertical projections is to frame a ridge-like structure behind the vertical projection, which is then sheathed over for installation of the final roof covering product, to divert water around the vertical projection upslope roof interface. These framed, ridge-like structures are commonly referred to as a “cricket” in the roofing industry.

Crickets are effective at preventing pooling water behind vertical projections on roofs if installed correctly. However, crickets are difficult to install. Correct installation of a cricket requires advanced carpentry and framing skills. Crickets must be custom framed to fit the specific vertical projection and roof slope the cricket is being installed behind. Cricket framing requires precise measuring and angle cutting of the framing members to ensure the installed cricket is stable and fastened properly to the other roof elements to prevent gapping and potential water intrusion. Most roofers do not have the advanced carpentry skills required to properly install a cricket. As such, cricket installation may require a roofer to subcontract the cricket framing work to a qualified carpenter, which adds to the cost of a roofing project. Also, projects can be held up if a qualified carpenter is not available to complete the cricket framing.

As such, many roofers opt for less effective solutions for mitigation of water pooling and snow accumulation melt. A common solution is for heavy layers of sealant to be applied around the base of the vertical projection, where the vertical projection meets the up slope roofline. This method still allows water to pool behind the vertical projection, wherein the smallest crack or penetration of the roofing material will still lead to a water leak in the structure. Sealant products are prone to deterioration from sun and weather exposure, which can cause cracking and degradation of such products over time, thus resulting in water intrusion. In climates which experience snowfall, pieces of angled metal are fastened to the roof behind the vertical projection to keep snow accumulation from gradually flowing down the roof and accumulating behind the vertical projection. However, this method is ineffective at diverting water away from the vertical projection, which will still allow water to pool and potentially leak into the structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due to the problems identified above, a need exists for a fully Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System described herein is comprised of a fully adjustable, triangular, frame, which is capable of accommodating all roof angles and vertical projections of different sizes. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System frame is comprised of a central hinged spine assembly, which functions as a ridge when the system is fully installed. A vertical projection assembly and a roof base assembly are attached to the central hinged spine assembly. The vertical projection assembly and roof base assembly are two opposing triangular frame elements, wherein the frame elements are fully adjustable for length and angle. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System is constructed of durable material such as aluminum, or composite materials capable of accommodating fastening hardware commonly used in the carpentry and roofing industries such as nails and screws.

To utilize the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System, a user deploys the System with the central hinged spine in an upward position, spanning between the vertical projection and the roof. Each side triangular framing element is then adjusted so that each side vertical projection member is flush with the vertical projection, and each side roof member is flush with the angle of the roof. The angles and frame element lengths are then locked into place to create a rigid, framed cricket. The locked Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System can then be used as a template to trace the sheathing elements that will be installed to cover the installed Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System can then be fastened directly to the roof and vertical projection by standard fastening hardware. Once the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System is fastened, the pre-traced sheathing elements can be installed by fastening directly to the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System. The cricket can then be completed by installing the final roof covering on the sheathed Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System.

The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System does not require any precise measuring or angle cutting to properly frame a roofing cricket. As such, the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System described herein is a useful and novel invention for the industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System configured to frame a cricket on a 12/12 pitch roof with a 3-foot vertical projection width, such as a chimney.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System configured to frame a cricket on a 12/12 pitch roof with a 3-foot vertical projection width with sheathing installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System configured to frame a cricket on a 12/12 pitch roof with a 2-foot vertical projection width.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System configured to frame a cricket on a 4/12 pitch roof with a 2-foot vertical projection width.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System configured to frame a cricket on a 4/12 pitch roof with a 3-foot vertical projection width with sheathing installed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System prior to installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although only some embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, the figures and explanations should be understood as illustrations only and are not intended to limit the invention in its scope. Also, in describing the embodiments, specific terminology may be used, but it should be understood that specific terms include all technical equivalents that operate in similar manners to accomplish similar purposes.

With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the subject Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is described in detail below. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is comprised of a central spine assembly 110, wherein said central spine assembly 110 is comprised of a longitudinal hinging means. In the preferred embodiment, said central spine assembly 110 is comprised of a first spine leg 120 and a second spine leg 130, wherein said spine legs 120 and 130 are longitudinally connected by a or a plurality of hinges 115. One familiar with the art would recognize that said longitudinal hinging means could be comprised of any design capable of longitudinal hinging or folding such as clasps, hooks, rods, bearings, etc. A first end of said central spine assembly 110 is comprised of a first end 121 of said first spine leg 120 and a first end 131 of said second spine leg 130 and are further comprised of a central spine telescoping means to increase the length of said first and second spine legs 120, 130 respectively. In the preferred embodiment, said central spine telescoping means is comprised of a first spine leg 120 interior slide 122 and a second spine leg 130 interior slide 132. One familiar in the art would recognize that said telescoping means could be comprised of any design, which would increase the length of the leg elements disclosed herein. For example, threaded rods, ratcheting extensions, foldable members, etc. could be utilized to perform the telescoping function described herein. Said spine leg interior slides 122, 132 are configured to slide out longitudinally to provide for varying lengths of the central spine 110 assembly and to allow said central spine to fully span a required distance between a vertical projection 400 surface 401 and a roof 500 surface 501. In the preferred embodiment said central spine leg interior slides 122, 132 are further comprised of a first upper spine vertical leg joint 123 and a second upper spine vertical leg joint 133. Said joints can be configured by any adjustable angle means, which allow the respective legs connected by the joints to form different angles. In the preferred embodiment said joints are of a post and hole configuration, wherein one of the respective legs is comprised of a perpendicularly extending post, which is received by a hole of the other leg to allow the angle between the two legs to be adjusted. One familiar in the art would recognize that other adjustable angle means of the herein described joints could be utilized to function as described. Examples of alternative adjustable angle means include at least hinges, swivels, pivots, links, or hooks.

Said upper spine vertical leg joints 123, 133 connect to a vertical projection assembly 111, which is configured to provide adjustable framing of the vertical projection portion of the device. Said vertical projection assembly 111 is comprised of a first end 161 of a first vertical projection leg 160, and a first end 171 of a second vertical projection leg 170. Said first and second vertical legs 160, 170 are adjusted to rest flush with a vertical surface 401 of a roof vertical projection 400. Said first and second vertical legs 160, 170 are further comprised of a vertical projection telescoping means to increase the length of said first and second vertical legs 160, 170 respectively, wherein said telescoping means are disposed upon a second end of said first and second vertical legs 160, 170. In the preferred embodiment, said telescoping means is comprised of a first vertical leg 160 interior slide 162 and a second vertical leg 170 interior slide 172. Said vertical leg interior slides 162, 172 are configured to slide out longitudinally to provide for varying lengths of the first and second vertical legs 160, 170 respectively. In the preferred embodiment said vertical interior slides 162, 172 are further comprised of a first lower base vertical joint 163 and a second lower base vertical joint 173. Said joints can be configured by any adjustable angle means, which allow the respective legs connected by the joints to form different angles. In the preferred embodiment said joints are of a post and hole configuration, wherein one of the respective legs is comprised of a perpendicularly extending post, which is received by a hole of the other leg to allow the angle between the two legs to be adjusted. One familiar in the art would recognize that other adjustable angle means could be utilized to function as described herein such as hinges, swivels, pivots, links, or hooks.

Said first lower base vertical joint 163 and a second lower base vertical joint 173 connect to a roof base assembly 112. Said roof base assembly 112 is comprised of a first end 181 of a first roof base leg 180 and a first end 191 of a second roof base leg 190. Said first and second roof base legs 180, 190 are adjusted to rest flush with a surface 501 of a roof 500. Said first and second roof base legs 180, 190 are further comprised of a roof base telescoping means to increase the length of said first and second roof base legs 180, 190 respectively, wherein said telescoping means are disposed upon a second end of said first and second roof base legs 180, 190. In the preferred embodiment, said telescoping means is comprised of a first roof base leg 180 interior slide 182 and a second roof base leg 190 interior slide 192. Said roof base leg interior slides 182, 192 are configured to slide out longitudinally to provide for varying lengths of the first and second roof base legs 180, 190 respectively. In the preferred embodiment said roof base leg slides 182, 192 are further comprised of a first roof base spine joint 183 and a second roof base spine joint 193. Said joints can be configured by any means, which allow the respective legs connected by the joints to form different angles. In the preferred embodiment said joints are of a post and hole configuration, wherein one of the respective legs is comprised of a perpendicularly extending post, which is received by a hole of the other leg to allow the angle between the two legs to be adjusted. One familiar in the art would recognize that other adjustable angle means could be utilized to function as described herein such as hinges, swivels, pivots, links, or hooks. Said first roof base spine joint 183 and a second roof base spine joint 193 are connected to a second end of said central spine assembly 110 by a second end 124 of said first spine leg 120 and a second end 134 of said second spine leg 130.

The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is further comprised of a plurality of slide retention means, which lock in place the respective slides when said slides are slid out longitudinally to their respective final lengths. In the preferred embodiment, said slide retention means are comprised of a or a plurality of thumbscrews 600 situated along the length of the respective legs of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100. When tightened against its respective slide, said thumbscrew 600 will lock the slide in position. One familiar with the art would recognize that alternative retention means would be capable of performing the function of locking the slides in place. Examples of such alternative retention means would be, pins, compression fittings, levers, spring buttons, etc.

Said Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is further comprised of a plurality of fastening tabs 700, which serve as a convenient means to fasten said Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 to the surface 501 of said roof 500 and vertical surface 401 of said roof vertical projection 400.

Once said Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is fastened to the surface 501 of said roof 500, sheathing material 800 can be installed by fastening said material directly to said Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is constructed of material capable of accepting standard fastening hardware such as screws, nails, and staples.

To utilize the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100, a user deploys the System 100 with the central hinged spine 101 in an upward position spanning a desired length between the vertical projection 400 and the roof 500. Each adjustable leg element is then adjusted by lengthening or shortening the telescoping means of each of the adjustable elements of the system so that the vertical projection legs 160, 170 are flush with the vertical surface 401 of the vertical projection 400, and the first and second roof base legs 180, 190 are flush with the surface 501 of the roof 500. The width of the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 at the convergence of said vertical projection 400 and said roof 500 can be adjusted by spreading said roof base legs apart from each other. In the preferred embodiment, said first lower base vertical joint 163 and said second lower base vertical joint 173 are spread apart from each other to achieve the desired width. Said width adjustment is allowed by said hinges 115 of said hinged spine 101. The angles and respective element lengths are then locked into place to create a rigid, framed cricket by tightening said slide retention means comprised of a or a plurality of thumbscrews 600 situated along the length of the respective leg elements. The locked Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System can then be used to trace the sheathing materials 800 that will be installed to cover installed Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100. The Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 can then be fastened directly to the roof 500 and vertical projection 400 by standard fastening hardware such as screws, nails, or staples. Once the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 100 is fastened, the pre-traced and cut sheathing elements 800 can be installed by fastening directly to the Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 101. The cricket can then be completed by installing the final roof covering on the sheathed Adjustable Water Diversion Framing System 101.

It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.