Modular soffit vent
First Claim
1. A vent apparatus comprising:
- a base member having a securing flange for securing said base member to an exterior surface of a dwelling, said securing flange forming a planar flange for enabling external fastening elements to be used to secure said planar flange to said exterior surface of said building and an attaching portion protruding outwardly from said securing flange away from said exterior surface of said dwelling, said attaching portion having an opening and a locking portion;
a cover member having a securing member and being of dimensions for enabling said cover member to be positioned at least partially over said attaching portion of said base member; and
said securing member of said cover member being engageable with said locking portion of said base member to secure said cover member to said locking portion without external fastening elements such that said cover member is adjustably spaced-apart from said attaching portion at a plurality of predetermined distances from said attaching portion.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vent apparatus for cooperating with duct work associated with an exhaust fan to enable air to be exhausted from an interior room of a dwelling to the exterior environment. The vent apparatus includes a base member and a cover member releasably securable to the base member. The base member includes an attaching portion having a plurality of locking portions, while the cover member includes a plurality of flexible latching arm members which releasably engage the locking portions when the cover member is placed over the attaching portion. The attaching portion includes an enlarged opening which enables air exhausted from an interior room to be directed out between the base and cover members to the exterior atmosphere. The apparatus is particularly well-adapted to be used with vinyl or aluminum siding and is relatively inexpensive to construct, light-weight and easy to install. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a screen adapted to be secured to the base member. The screen has dimensions which enable it to fit within the cover member so as not to be visible once the cover is installed on the base member. The screen prevents insects and small mammals from entering through the base member. The screen is secured to the base member via a plurality of locking arm members which engage within openings formed in the base member such that the screen can be "snapped" onto the base member without special tools or external fastening elements such as threaded screws or the like.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A vent apparatus comprising:
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a base member having a securing flange for securing said base member to an exterior surface of a dwelling, said securing flange forming a planar flange for enabling external fastening elements to be used to secure said planar flange to said exterior surface of said building and an attaching portion protruding outwardly from said securing flange away from said exterior surface of said dwelling, said attaching portion having an opening and a locking portion; a cover member having a securing member and being of dimensions for enabling said cover member to be positioned at least partially over said attaching portion of said base member; and said securing member of said cover member being engageable with said locking portion of said base member to secure said cover member to said locking portion without external fastening elements such that said cover member is adjustably spaced-apart from said attaching portion at a plurality of predetermined distances from said attaching portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vent apparatus comprising:
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a base member having an attaching portion having a securing flange and a plurality of openings spaced-apart from one another along said securing flange, said securing flange enabling said base member to be secured to an exterior surface of a structure; said base member further including a raised attaching portion integrally formed with said securing flange, said raised attaching portion having a central opening and a plurality of locking portions; a cover member adapted to be placed over said base member and having dimensions sufficiently large to cover said base member, said cover member including a plurality of securing members adapted to releasably engage with said locking portions of said base member in a manner to secure said cover member at a plurality of predetermined distances from said base member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A vent apparatus for communicating with ventilation duct work of a dwelling, said apparatus comprising:
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a base member having a securing flange and an attaching portion integrally formed with said securing flange, said securing flange including a plurality of openings spaced-apart therealong to enable said securing flange to be secured via external fastening members to an exterior surface of said dwelling; said attaching portion including an opening and a plurality of integrally formed locking portions spaced about said attaching portion, said attaching portion further protruding outwardly of said securing flange; and a cover member having dimensions sufficiently large to cover said base member and including a plurality of flexible latching arms protruding from an interior surface thereof, said latching arms being operable to releasably engage with said locking portions of said base member at a plurality of predetermined positions relative to said base member to secure said cover member in adjustable spaced-apart relationship to said base member to thereby permit airflow outwardly of said opening in said base member and between said cover member and said base member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A vent apparatus comprising:
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a base member having a securing flange for securing said base member to an exterior surface of a dwelling; an attaching portion protruding outwardly from said securing flange, said attaching portion having an opening and a locking portion; a cover member having a securing member and being of dimensions for enabling said cover member to be adjustably positioned at least partially over said attaching portion of said base member; a screen interposed between said cover member and said base member, said screen having dimensions enabling it to be completely covered by said cover member when said cover member is positioned over said screen; and said securing member of said cover member being engageable with said locking portion of said base member to secure said cover member to said locking portion such that said cover member is spaced-apart from said attaching portion at one of a plurality of predetermined positions from said attaching, portion. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification