Exterior Rafter And Beam Covering Sleeve

Abstract

A sleeve for covering the exposed rafters of a structure to prevent premature damage to new construction, and to cover older damaged rafters. The rafter sleeve has two elongated side walls and an elongated bottom for covering the longer side and bottom dimensions of the exposed portion of a rafter. An end cap covers the terminal end of the rafter, and a top covers the portion of top of the rafter extending beyond the eave of a roof. The rafter sleeves can be made in rectangular profile for flat rafters or in parallelogram profile for the rafters of a pitched roof. The rafter sleeve is attached to a rafter in a manner that a portion of the sleeve extends under the eave, and is sealed around the edges. After installation, the sleeve can be painted to resemble an undamaged rafter.

1 . A prefabricated sleeve and cap for the terminal ends of exposed rafters and beams comprising:
 a. two side walls and a bottom, each configured to cover the sides and bottom, respectively, of the outside of a length of an exposed rafter or beam, and extending inward from the terminal end of the rafter or beam to the exterior wall from which the rafter or beam extends;   b. a capping means for covering the end of the rafter or beam connected to one common end of the side walls and bottom;   c. a top, substantially shorter than the two side walls and bottom, extending from the capping means to the point where the eave of the roof-terminates at the top of the rafter or beam; and   d. means for fastening the sleeve to the rafter or beam, wherein the junction of the side walls, bottom, capping means and top define an enclosed space to house and protect exposed rafters or beams from weathering.   
   
   
       2 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the capping means is angled with respect to the side walls, bottom and top so that the capping means conforms to the angled terminal end of a pitched rafter or beam. 
   
   
       3 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the capping means comprises no top, and a capping means extending only partially up the junction of the capping means and side walls, wherein a fascia may cover the portion of the terminal end of the rafter or beam above the capping means. 
   
   
       4 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the junctions of the side walls, bottom capping means and top comprise a watertight seal. 
   
   
       5 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein drain holes are disposed at the bottom of the sleeve to allow water to escape the device. 
   
   
       6 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the fasteners comprise nails corresponding to nailing holes disposed in the bottom and capping means. 
   
   
       7 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the side walls, bottom, capping means and top comprise a surface that facilitates paint adhesion. 
   
   
       8 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve and cap comprises galvanized steel. 
   
   
       9 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 8 , comprising 28-galvanized steel. 
   
   
       10 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve and cap comprises a plastic or resin material. 
   
   
       11 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is 24 inches long to accommodate standard length eaves. 
   
   
       12  A method of protecting exterior rafters or other types of exposed boards from weathering and premature decomposition, comprising the steps of:
 a. clearing existing rafters of all loose debris if necessary;   b. sliding a rafter sleeve and cap over the rafter starting at the terminal end of the rafter, so that the top of the sleeve extends under the roof;   c. using fasteners to lock the sleeve into place; and   d. using a caulking compound to seal the area between the edge of the sleeve and the rafter.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein aluminum caulking is used. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the top of the sleeve extends at least half an inch into the space between the rafter and the underside of the roof, or the cap of the sleeve extends at least half an inch into the space between the rafter and a fascia board. 
   
   
       15 . The sleeve and cap of  claim 1 , wherein fastening means are disposed on the bottom and capping means of the sleeve.