Modular soffit vent
First Claim
1. A method of making a vent apparatus, said method comprising:
- forming a base member including a securing flange which allows the base member to be secured to an exterior surface of a building wherein the securing flange comprises a planar flange for enabling external fastening elements to be used to secure the planar flange to the exterior surface of the building;
forming an attaching portion on the base member which protrudes outwardly from the securing flange away from the exterior surface of the building;
forming an opening in the attaching portion;
forming a locking portion in the attaching portion; and
forming a cover member having a securing member being of dimensions for enabling the cover member to be positioned at least partially over the attaching portion of the base memberwherein the securing member is engageable with the locking portion of the base member to secure the cover member to the locking portion without external fastening elements such that the cover member is adjustably spaced-apart from the attaching portion at a plurality of predetermined distances from the attaching portion.
10 Assignments
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.
83 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of making a vent apparatus, said method comprising:
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forming a base member including a securing flange which allows the base member to be secured to an exterior surface of a building wherein the securing flange comprises a planar flange for enabling external fastening elements to be used to secure the planar flange to the exterior surface of the building; forming an attaching portion on the base member which protrudes outwardly from the securing flange away from the exterior surface of the building; forming an opening in the attaching portion; forming a locking portion in the attaching portion; and forming a cover member having a securing member being of dimensions for enabling the cover member to be positioned at least partially over the attaching portion of the base member wherein the securing member is engageable with the locking portion of the base member to secure the cover member to the locking portion without external fastening elements such that the cover member is adjustably spaced-apart from the attaching portion at a plurality of predetermined distances from the attaching portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a vent apparatus, said method comprising:
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forming a base member having an attaching portion with a securing flange which enables the base member to be secured to an exterior surface of a structure; forming a plurality of openings in the securing flange which are spaced-apart from one another; integrally forming a raised attaching portion with the securing flange wherein the raised attaching portion has a central opening and a plurality of locking portions; forming a cover member adapted to be placed over the base member and having dimensions sufficiently large to cover the base member; forming a plurality of securing members on the cover member which are adapted to releasably engage with the locking portions of the base member in an manner to secure the cover member at a plurality of predetermined distances from the base member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of forming a vent apparatus for communicating with ventilation duct work of a building, said method comprising:
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forming a base member having a securing flange; integrally forming an attaching portion with the securing flange; forming a plurality of openings in the securing flange which are spaced-apart therealong to enable the securing flange to be secured via external fastening members to an exterior surface of the building; forming an opening in the attaching portion; integrally forming a plurality of locking portions on the attaching portion which are spaced about the attaching portion; forming the attaching portion to protrude outwardly from the securing flange; forming a cover member having dimensions sufficiently large to cover the base member and including a plurality of flexible latching arms protruding from an interior surface thereof wherein the latching arms are operable to releasably engage with the locking portions of the base member at a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base member to secure the cover member in adjustable spaced-apart relationship to the base member to thereby permit airflow outwardly of the opening in the base member and between the cover member and the base member. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of forming a vent apparatus, said method comprising:
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forming a base member having a securing flange for securing the base member to an exterior surface of a building; forming an attaching portion which protrudes outwardly from the securing flange; forming an opening in the attaching portion; forming a locking portion in the attaching portion; forming a cover member having a securing member and being of dimensions for enabling the cover member to be adjustably positioned at least partially over the attaching portion of the base member; and providing a screen interposed between the cover member and the base member wherein the screen has dimensions enabling it to be completely covered by the cover member when the cover member is positioned over the screen wherein the securing member is engageable with the locking portion of the base member to secure the cover member to the locking portion such that the cover member is spaced-apart from the attaching portion at one of a plurality of predetermined positions from the attaching portion. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification