Protruding drip edge and roof protection apparatus

Abstract

A drip edge and roof protection apparatus that can be used on a building roof to effectively direct water away from the roof and into a gutter system without compromising original shingle installation. The drip edge is designed with a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member, effectively parallel to one another and connected together, that fit under roofing shingles. An open U-shaped throat is configured to fit over an existing drip edge, and a downwardly extending leg (vertical member) with a flexible foot portion, referenced as the drip edge is present. It is compatible with different types of gutter designs and serves to prevent water from seeping between the fascia and the gutter wall, thus safeguarding the building from water damage and avoiding damage to the gutter caused by ice accumulation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A drip edge apparatus for gutter and roof installations, comprising:
 a generally planar body having:   a first vertical member;   a first horizontal member connected to the first vertical member;   a first protruding drip edge connected to the first horizontal member;   a second vertical member;   a second horizontal member connected to the second vertical member;   a second protruding drip edge connected to the second horizontal member; and   wherein the first vertical member and the second vertical member are connected by an approximate 359-degree turnabout in the material.   
     
     
         2 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical member is inclined to facilitate application of pressure towards an eave of a structure. 
     
     
         3 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first corner disposed at a junction between the first horizontal member and the first vertical member; and   a second corner disposed at a junction between the second horizontal member and the second vertical member.   
     
     
         4 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical member is configured to be placed inside a gutter in communication with an interior edge of the gutter. 
     
     
         5 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second vertical member is configured to remain in communication with an eave of a structure. 
     
     
         6 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first protruding drip edge and the second protruding drip edge are configured to sandwich an interior edge of a gutter between them. 
     
     
         7 . The drip edge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, sheet metal, silicone, UV resistant plastic, and vinyl. 
     
     
         8 . A method of installing a drip edge apparatus on a roof, comprising:
 providing a drip edge apparatus having a first vertical member, a first horizontal member, a first protruding drip edge, a second vertical member, a second horizontal member, and a second protruding drip edge;   positioning the first vertical member inside a gutter such that it remains in communication with an interior edge of the gutter;   positioning the second vertical member in communication with an eave of a structure; and   sandwiching the interior edge of the gutter between the first protruding drip edge and the second protruding drip edge.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising notching the drip edge apparatus to accommodate gutter hangers without compromising the efficacy of the drip edge. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising bending a lower portion of the drip edge apparatus around towards a soffit of the roof to prevent gaps on corners of the roof. 
     
     
         11 . A drip edge system for protecting roof framing from moisture, comprising:
 a generally planar body having:   a first vertical member;   a first horizontal member connected to the first vertical member;   a first protruding drip edge connected to the first horizontal member;   a second vertical member;   a second horizontal member connected to the second vertical member;   a second protruding drip edge connected to the second horizontal member;   wherein the first vertical member and the second vertical member are connected by a turnabout in the material; and   wherein the system is configured to provide a double drip edge when installed on a roof.   
     
     
         12 . The drip edge system of  claim 11 , wherein the first protruding drip edge is configured to supplement or replace a default drip edge of the roof. 
     
     
         13 . The drip edge system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to cover exposed wood between fascia metal and a default drip edge of the roof. 
     
     
         14 . The drip edge system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to prevent gutter water from backing up into a structure in the event of gutter overflow. 
     
     
         15 . The drip edge system of  claim 11 , wherein the system exhibits a low-profile design suitable for commercial installations with larger-than-standard gutters. 
     
     
         16 . The drip edge system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to be effectively invisible when installed on a roof with gutters in position. 
     
     
         17 . The drip edge system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to cover exposed wood between fascia metal and a default drip edge of the roof; and
 wherein the system is configured to prevent gutter water from backing up into a structure in the event of gutter overflow.