Roof flashing with improved drip guard

Claim 2

A flashing structure for assisting in proper moisture drainage from a horizontal edge of a roof surface, said flashing structure being formed of a unitary sheet of material comprising: a) a substantially flat body portion having upper and lower sides, a desired length and a width extending from a linear, free edge to a drainage edge parallel with said free edge, said flashing structure being of substantially uniform configuration in all planes perpendicular to said free edge throughout said length; b) a first portion extending from said drainage edge on the lower side of said body portion in a curve extending toward said free edge, away from said body portion and thence toward a plane perpendicular to said body portion and tangent to said drainage edge with forwardly and rearwardly directed surfaces; and c) a substantially planar, second portion extending integrally from said first portion along a juncture edge to a drip edge, said juncture edge and said drip edge being parallel to one another and to said drainage edge, said third portion having forwardly and rearwardly directed surfaces.

Claim 3

The flashing structure of claim 1 wherein said first and second portions are so configured and dimensioned relative to said drainage edge that said plane perpendicular to said body portion and tangent to said drainage edge intersects said forwardly directed surface of said second portion.

Claim 4

The flashing structure of claim 2 wherein said first portion extends from said drainage edge to said juncture edge in a curve of substantially uniform radius about a fixed center.

Claim 5

The flashing structure of claim 3 wherein said fixed center lies between said plane and said first portion.

Claim 6

The flashing structure of claim 4 wherein said first portion extends from said drainage edge to said drip edge approximately 180° about said fixed center.

Claim 7

The flashing structure of claim 1 wherein said material is bent at said juncture edge at an angle of less than 90°.

Claim 8

The flashing structure of claim 6 and further including a third portion extending from said drip edge in closely superposed relation to said rearwardly directed surface of said second portion.

Claim 9

The flashing structure of claim 1 wherein the straight line distance, measured in a direction parallel to the plane of body portion 10, between the rearwardly directed surface of said first portion and said drip edge is at least 3/4".

Claim 10

The flashing structure of claim 8 wherein said straight line distance is about 1'".

Claim 11

Flashing structure for installation along a building roof edge, said structure comprising: a) an elongated unitary sheet metal member having a desired length extending along a linear, free edge, said sheet metal member being of uniform cross section throughout said length in all planes perpendicular to said free edge and including: b) a substantially flat body portion extending forwardly from said free edge to a drainage edge, parallel to said free edge; c) a curved portion extending integrally from said drainage edge at a substantially uniform radius about a fixed center point toward said free edge and thence away from said body portion and toward a plane perpendicular to said body portion and tangent to said drainage edge; d) said curved portion terminating at a juncture edge rearward of said perpendicular plane; e) a planar portion extending from said juncture edge with forwardly and rearwardly directed surfaces to a drip edge forward of said perpendicular plane, whereby said planar portion is intersected by said perpendicular plane; and f) a portion extending from said drip edge in closely superposed relation to said rearwardly directed surface of said planar portion to a terminal edge.

Claim 12

Flashing structure for installation along a building roof edge, said structure comprising: a) an elongated unitary sheet metal member having a desired length extending along a linear, free edge, said sheet metal member being of uniform cross section throughout said length in all planes perpendicular to said free edge and including: b) a substantially flat body portion extending forwardly from said free edge to a drainage edge, parallel to said free edge; c) a curved portion extending integrally from said drainage edge at a substantially uniform radius about a fixed center point toward said free edge and thence away from said body portion and toward a plane perpendicular to said body portion and tangent to said drainage edge; d) said curved portion terminating at a juncture edge rearward of said perpendicular plane; e) a planar portion extending from said juncture edge with forwardly and rearwardly directed surfaces to a drip edge forward of said perpendicular plane, whereby said planar portion is intersected by said perpendicular plane; and f) a portion extending from said drip edge in closely superposed relation to said rearwardly directed surface of said planar portion to a terminal edge.

Claim 13

The flashing structure of claim 10 wherein said fixed center point is positioned rearward of said perpendicular plane.

Claim 14

The flashing structure of claim 11 wherein said curved portion extends approximately 180° about said center point.

Claim 15

The flashing structure of claim 12 wherein said uniform radius is between about 1/2" and 3/4".

Claim 16

The flashing structure of claim 10 wherein the angle between said planar portion and a line tangent to said curved portion at said juncture edge is less than 90°.