Vortex suppressing system

Abstract

A vortex suppressing system is disclosed. The system is associated with a pitched roof having sloped, generally planar first and second surfaces intersecting with one another at a roof ridge. The system may include a fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof. The fascia member may extend generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof, and may be generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the fascia member. Additionally, the system may include an assembly, which may include first and second end portions attached to the first and second surfaces, respectively. In addition, the assembly may include a bridging portion extending over the roof ridge and from the first end portion to the second end portion. The bridging portion may have a generally curved outer surface, which may be substantially symmetrical about a plane generally parallel to the roof ridge.

1 . A vortex suppressing system associated with a pitched roof having sloped, generally planar first and second surfaces intersecting with one another at a roof ridge, the vortex suppressing system comprising:
 a fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof adjacent to an edge of at least the first surface, the fascia member extending generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof and being generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the fascia member; and   an assembly including
 a first end portion attached to the first surface, adjacent to the roof ridge, 
 a second end portion attached to the second surface, adjacent to the roof ridge, and 
 a bridging portion extending over the roof ridge and from the first end portion to the second end portion, the bridging portion having a generally curved outer surface, the generally curved outer surface being substantially symmetrical about a plane generally parallel to the roof ridge, 
   wherein a length of the assembly extends in generally the same direction as a length of the roof ridge.   
     
     
         2 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion contacts the first surface of the pitched roof, and the second end portion contacts the second surface of the pitched roof. 
     
     
         3 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 2 , wherein the first end portion contacts the first surface of the pitched roof at a distance of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm away from the intersection of the first and second surfaces at the roof ridge, and wherein the second end portion contacts the second surface of the pitched roof at a distance of from about 5 cm to about 50 cm away from the intersection of the first and second surfaces at the roof ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 3 , wherein a bottom surface of the bridging portion of the assembly is spaced above a top surface of the roof ridge by a distance not larger than 25 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein the generally curved outer surface of the bridging portion defines a radius of curvature not less than 3.5 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof ridge of the roof includes a roof ridge cap and wherein the bridging portion of the assembly extends over the roof ridge cap. 
     
     
         7 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises at least one mounting portion attaching at least one of the first end portion to the first surface and the second portion to the second surface, and wherein the entire mounting portion is located within an enclosure defined by the bridging portion, the first and second end portions, and the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting portion includes at least one cleat configured to engage one of the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         9 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 7 , wherein the assembly further comprises at least one spring member extending between the pitched roof and the bridging portion, the spring member being configured to bias the bridging portion away from the pitched roof so as to maintain engagement of the mounting portion and at least one of the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         10 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein a first substantially watertight seal is defined between the first end portion of the assembly and the first surface of the pitched roof and a second substantially watertight seal is defined between the second end portion of the assembly and the second surface of the pitched roof. 
     
     
         11 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , wherein the generally curved outer surface of the bridging portion includes at least one substantially flat portion. 
     
     
         12 . The vortex suppressing system of  claim 1 , further including an additional fascia member attached to a perimeter of the roof adjacent to an edge of the second surface of the pitched roof, the additional fascia member extending generally outwardly away from the perimeter of the roof and being generally curved to define a generally arch-shaped cross-sectional shape of an outer face of the additional fascia member.