One sided roof vent

• US 6,447,392 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John C. Henderson
• Original Assignee: John C. Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Application Number:
  US09/923,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20020028652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 454/82, 454/107, 454/115, 454/136, 454/162, 454/365, 454/366, 521/98, 521/99
• US Class Current: 454/365
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/02 Roof ventilation ventilation of roof coverings E04D

Abstract

A vent device includes a rectangular configuration having a linear axis and edges forming a lift end and a no lift end. The no lift end has a predetermined thickness to thereby define a base cross section. The lift end has a predetermined thickness of at least twice that of the base cross section. The lift end has an opening for transferring air from the environment outside the structure to an opening communicating with its interior. The lift end may have at least two sets of layers to support the device at at least three locations having decreasing cross sectional height at the lift end, the interior position and the no lift end respectively. An optional pivot point permits the device to conform to the structure. Also optionally provided is a baffle or a cover filter to protect environmental particles.

Claims

1. A vent device for use with a structure having a roof and walls exposed to the environment, comprising:

upper and lower outer surfaces, said surfaces being sized to define a generally rectangular configuration having a linear axis and linear edges parallel to said axis, said configuration having a lift end and a no lift end proximate said linear edges;

said no lift end being generally flat and having a predetermined thickness to thereby define a base cross section;

said lift end being generally flat and having a predetermined thickness of at least twice that of said base cross section and having an opening, said lift end having a plurality of channels for transferring air therethrough along said lift end toward said no lift end, at least one of said upper and lower outer surfaces having an opening to permit access at said opening to said channels.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is positioned on a structure to expose said lift end to the environment outside of said structure.

3. The device of claim 1, which additionally includes a pivot point positioned to permit said lift end and said no lift end to pivot about said pivot point, and said pivot point includes said opening.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said device is positioned on a roof to expose said opening in said pivot point to the environment inside said roof, and wherein said pivot point permits said device to bend in one or both directions about said axis.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is positioned on a wall to expose said lift end to the environment outside said wall.

6. The device of claim 1, which further includes a baffle to prevent direct flow of environmental air into said lift end.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said lift end comprises at least two sets of layers, the first of which is positioned proximate said lift end linear edge and the second of which is positioned closer to the interior of said device to support said device at at least three locations on said structure, said three locations having decreasing cross sectional height at said lift end, said interior position and said no lift end respectively.

8. The device of claim 1, which further includes a cover filter extending across said channels to protect the lift end of said device from insects, wind, snow or dust no matter what direction the device is aligned to permit air flow through said passages.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said pivot point permits said device to bend in one or both directions about said axis.

10. The device of claim 1, which is formed from molded plastic.

11. The device of claim 10, where said molded plastic is selected from polyethylene and polypropylene corrugated sheet.

12. The device of claim 10, where said molded plastic is nylon.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is formed from metal.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said metal is aluminum.

15. A method of venting a structure having a roof and walls exposed to the environment and having unventilated or poorly ventilated areas, comprising the steps of:

forming a vent device having an upper and lower outer surfaces, said surfaces being sized to define a generally rectangular configuration having a linear axis and linear edges, said configuration having a lift end and a no lift end proximate said linear edges;

said no lift end being generally flat and having a predetermined thickness to thereby define a base cross section;

a said lift end being generally flat and having a predetermined thickness at one end thereof of at least twice that of said base cross section and having an opening;

said lift end having a plurality of channels for transferring air therethrough;

said lower outer surface having an opening in communication with said passages to permit access at said opening to said passages;

positioning said device to place said lift end on said structure to expose said lift end to the environment outside said structure; and

positioning said device to expose said opening to the environment inside said structure.

16. The method of claim 15, which further including the step of bending said device about said axis by forming a said pivot point to permit said device to conform to its position on said structure.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said lift end comprises at least two sets of layers, the first of which is positioned proximate said lift end linear edge and the second of which is positioned closer to the interior of said device to support said device at at least three locations on said structure, said three locations having decreasing cross sectional height at said lift end, said interior position and said no lift end respectively.

18. The method of claim 15, which further includes the step of placing a cover filter to protect the lift end of said device from insects, wind, snow or dust no matter what direction the device is aligned to permit air flow through said passages.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said vent device is formed from molded plastic.

20. The method of claim 19, where said vent device is formed from a material selected from polyethylene corrugated sheet, polypropylene corrugated sheet, nylon, and aluminum.