Roof flashing strip and method of production

Abstract

A flashing strip is defined by at least a pair of interlocking flashing segments. Each of the segments has first and second intersecting legs, the first legs of each of the segments are brought into abutment and interlocked either by folding over into inter-engagement or by providing an embossment in each of the upper legs which are then, upon deforming of one of the first legs, and folding it over the upper edge of the second leg and mating the embossments together. Preferably, a gap is provided between the second legs of the first and second segments to define a gap for inserting a shingle therewithin.

1 . A flashing strip comprising: 
 at least a pair of generally L-shaped flashing segments, each of said flashing segments having a pair of intersecting planar first and second legs and laterally spaced first and second end portions, the first end portion of one of said flashing segments partially overlapping the second end portion of the other of said flashing segments, each of the first legs in the overlapping end portions are abutted with another and have a deformable leg portion, the deformable leg portions of said flashing segments being deformed into inter-engagement with one another and the first legs being interlocked with one another.    
   
   
       2 . The flashing strip of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first legs are each substantially rectangular, the first end portion of one of said first legs includes an uppermost end portion that defines a deformable and foldable flap that is foldable onto, about and into engagement with the corresponding uppermost end portion of the other first leg.    
   
   
       3 . The flashing strip of  claim 1  wherein the first legs of each of the at least a pair of segments are substantially alike and abutted with one another, at least one embossment being provided in the overlapped end portions of each the first legs to interlock the pair of flashing segments together.  
   
   
       4 . The flashing strip of  claim 1  wherein the flashing strip has a length ranging from about six feet to about ten feet.  
   
   
       5 . The flashing strip of  claim 1  wherein the second legs of each of the segments are spaced from one another to define a gap therebetween, the gap accommodating a roof shingle therewithin.  
   
   
       6 . The flashing strip of  claim 1  wherein the flashing strips are interlocked by an elongated bead extending along the length thereof.  
   
   
       7 . A method of making a flashing strip, comprising: 
 At least a pair of generally L-shaped flashing segments, each of said flashing segments having a pair of intersecting planar first and second legs and laterally spaced first and second end portions,    partially overlapping the first end portion of one of said flashing segments with the second end portion of the other of said flashing segments,    abutting the overlapping ends portions of the first legs, each of said first legs having a deformable end portion, and    deforming the deformable leg portions of said first legs in a manner such that the deformable leg portions are deformed into inter-engagement with one another thereby interlocking the first legs with one another.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 an upper end portion of one of the first legs defines a flap portion that is disposed higher than the upper end portion of the other first leg the method further comprising folding the flap portion over, about and into inter-engagement against the backside of the other first leg, and, thereafter    folding the inter-engaged upper end portions downwardly and into engagement against the backside of the other first leg.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  which further comprises: 
 disposing the upper first leg and the second lower second leg in space relationship to define a gap therebetween for receiving a roof shingle therebetween.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  which further comprises: 
 providing at least one embossment in each of the first legs, one embossment projecting into the embossment of the other segment upon folding of the deformable flap over the first leg to interlock the first legs by the indentations.