Vent apparatus
First Claim
1. A vent apparatus comprising:
- a base member including a securing flange adapted to receive external fastening elements to allow said flange to be secured to a surface;
an attaching portion on said base member which protrudes outwardly from said securing flange and defines a fluid passage;
said attaching portion including a locking portion defining a plurality of discrete locking locations; and
a cover member engageable with said locking portion of said base member to adjustably secure said cover member to said base member at a plurality of predetermined distances from said securing flange corresponding to said plurality of discrete locking locations.
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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
19 Claims
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1. A vent apparatus comprising:
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a base member including a securing flange adapted to receive external fastening elements to allow said flange to be secured to a surface;
an attaching portion on said base member which protrudes outwardly from said securing flange and defines a fluid passage;
said attaching portion including a locking portion defining a plurality of discrete locking locations; and
a cover member engageable with said locking portion of said base member to adjustably secure said cover member to said base member at a plurality of predetermined distances from said securing flange corresponding to said plurality of discrete locking locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vent apparatus comprising:
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a base member including a raised attaching portion defining a fluid passage;
said raised attaching portion including a locking portion defining a plurality of discrete locking locations;
a cover member; and
a plurality of securing members on said cover member releasably engaged with said locking locations of said base member to secure said cover member at a plurality of predetermined distances relative to said base member corresponding to said plurality of said locking locations. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
said cover member includes a central portion and a downwardly sloping peripheral portion; and
said peripheral portion includes a plurality of openings to further facilitate airflow from said cover member to an external environment.
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15. The apparatus of claim 9 further wherein said base member is injection molded from a thermoplastic material.
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16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cover member is injection molded from a thermoplastic material.
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17. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a screen positioned between said base member and said cover member.
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18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein:
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said screen includes a frame including a plurality of projecting locking arms;
said base member includes a plurality of openings that are positioned to align with said locking arm members to thereby enable said screen to be secured to said base member in close proximity to said base member.
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19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:
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said fluid passage comprises a central opening through said base; and
said base member includes a cylindrical portion that is positioned to extend from said central opening for accepting a section of external duct work therein.
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Specification