1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vents for covering an opening at a peak of a roof. More particularly, the invention relates to baffled roll vents comprised of a unitary panel capable of rolling into a coil configuration prior to installation, and capable of unfolding to lay flat on the roof ridge at installation.
2. Background
Vents for attics of residential or commercial buildings are commonly perforated or have baffled openings in the underside of the eaves of an overhanging roof or fascia and on the roof ridge overlaying the open roof along the length of the roof. The vent openings allow air to flow into the attic to equalize the interior attic temperature and pressure with that of the outside environment. The equalization helps to control attic temperature and reduces the accumulation of condensation in the attic thereby increasing the efficiency of heating and cooling of the living space in the building covered by the roof structure.
A roof ridge ventilator overlays a roof ridge slot along the length of the roof. The roof ventilator is for exhausting air from the space below the roof and above the floor of the attic.
Ventilation systems should provide against insects and other unwanted elements entering the attic space of buildings. While larger perforations in soffit and roof ridge ventilation panels produce a desired flow of air through the attic space, they also allow ingress to insects. In addition to having good ventilation of the attic space and preventing ingress of water, snow and insects into the attic space, ventilation systems should have structural strength and stability to withstand the effects of the elements, including high wind; strong structural support against collapse or warping, such as might occur by the accumulation of snow or ice or by weight of the installers accidentally stepping on the roof ridge ventilator; ease of installation; and low costs.
The present invention is directed to roof ridge vents that preferably are used in conjunction with an adequate soffit ventilator of the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, a baffled roll vent is provided that is manufactured from flexible polymer compounds. The vent is spirally rollable for easy handling and installation. The baffled roll vent is for covering the ridge of a roof having an opening therein or ridge slot providing for the flow of air from the space below the roof ridge to the outside environment while preventing entry of water and other unwanted elements.
The ridge vent preferably comprises a unitary plastic panel that is disposed over the ridge of the roof covering the ridge slot as well as overlapping portions of the roof shingles adjacent to the ridge slot. The plastic panel may not be integrally unitary but instead may comprise substantially fluid tight hinges connecting partitions into a unitary piece.
The panel is flexible and can be contoured to roofs having from 0 degree to 45 degree slope at the peak or more. The panel can be contoured at a center line where a hinge is incorporated. Also a hinge may be incorporated at two parallel lines spaced from the central point line running longitudinally of the panel. These hinges provide flexibility in the panel. The panel has a topside or surface facing the exterior and an opposite, underside or surface facing the attic space. The underside is reinforced by supports spaced throughout the length of the panel. Preferably, the underside also comprises rain baffles, also called weather blocks, located at points where precipitation or particulate may enter the ridge slot.
The vent of the present invention comprises a unitary panel defined by a length and width. The vent preferably has projections located at the length sides that can be joined to another succeeding length. The width terminates at external baffles at either end of the width. A center hinge located substantially at the topside and preferably integral with the panel divides the panel longitudinally. The center hinge is preferably embossed onto the unitary panel.
Louver portions at the width ends can comprise rows of slots and slats running parallel to each other in transverse direction to the length of the partition. However, the louvers can be in a parallel direction to the length of the partition or in any other configuration that provides for the desired ventilation. The louver portions are discrete and independent to each partition defined by side baffle walls and an external baffle.
At the underside, located substantially at the internal end of the louver portion and on or adjacent to the side baffle walls, can be rain baffles. These rain baffles substantially prevent precipitation and particulate from infiltrating the vent. The underside also comprises multiple supports to reinforce the vent. The supports preferably have a nail boss for driving a nail through. Every number of supports, the number of which is predetermined prior to manufacture, preferably has a support peg and no nail boss. The nail boss can be adapted for use with a nail gun and can be countersunk from the topside.
Further, a baffled roll vent for covering a roof ridge slot is provided, the baffled roll vent comprising a first vent section having a male part and a second vent section having a female part, wherein the male part of the first vent section attaches to the female part of the second vent section.
The installation of the baffled roll vent comprises the steps of placing the spirally rolled baffled roll vent on the ridge of a roof with a ridge slot, uncoiling the baffled roll vent over the ridge slot, adjusting the position of the baffled roll vent so that the center hinge is substantially centered over the ridge slot, flexing from the center hinge the baffled roll vent downward so that side edges of the baffled roll vent substantially conform to the roof slope and tiles or shingles adjacent to the ridge slot, and fixing the baffled roll vent to the roof. Preferably, the vent is fixed by nailing through the nail bosses of the underside supports.
To completely cover the ridge slot at the peak of the roof, additional baffled roll vents can be used as needed and placed end-to-end with the previously installed baffled roll vent. The baffled roll vent preferably can be cut with known cutting implements to any desired length.
At the beginning and end of each panel, are weather flaps and melt tabs for aligning and joining the panel with a succeeding section.
Additionally, the baffled roll vent can be installed by placing a fibrous mat along the roof ridge parallel with the ridge slot so that the lower portion of the baffled roll vent covers the fibrous mat. The use of the fibrous mat prevents small particles from entering into the attic space through the slots of the louver. The fibrous mat can also be integrated with the baffled roll vent by known methods. Another method of installing the baffled roll vent for covering the ridge of a roof is provided, the method comprising providing a baffled roll vent comprising two or more vent sections, each vent section having one or more male part(s) and one or more female part(s), the male part(s) of one vent section being attached to the female part(s) of a next vent section in the baffled roll vent, positioning the baffled roll vent in a spirally-rolled configuration onto an end of a roof ridge, and detaching one vent section from the next vent section by detaching the one or more male part(s) of the one vent section from the one or more female part(s) of the next vent section.
a is a top plan view of the baffled roll vent in a straight, unrolled configuration;
b is an underside plan view of the baffled roll vent in a straight, unrolled configuration;
a-6d are detailed underside plan views of embodiments of the baffled roll vent;
In
As best seen in
As shown in
The louver portions 370 are each discrete from the other and comprise side baffles 320, the external baffle 260, and slats 380. The width of the louver portion 370 is preferably about 1 inch to 4 inches, and most preferably about 2-3 inches measured from end baffle 260 to the end of the slats 380. The length is preferably about 0.25″ to 3″, and most preferably about 1″ to 2″ measured from side baffle to side baffle. The side baffles 320 have a height of preferably about 0.5 inches to 2 inches or equal to the height of the partition 120.
The louver portion 370 preferably can have tapered side baffles 320 and external baffle 260 that gradually decrease in width from the topside 60 towards the underside 80 to help facilitate removal from molds during manufacturing if the vent is molded.
The slats 380 of the louver portion 370 preferably extend from side baffle to side baffle and are provided from the underside 80 to the topside 60 at an angle of preferably about 15° to 95°, and most preferably about 30° to 45°. The slats 380 provide for the ventilation of gases and moisture from below the roof ridge.
The nail boss 92 may also be adapted to receive a nail from a nail gun as shown in
The embodiment shown in
a shows overlapping rectangular and “L” shaped rain baffles integral with the side baffle walls. These rain baffles substantially prevent precipitation and particulates from entering the ridge slot. Further embodiments of rain baffles are shown in
The baffled roll vent 100 is preferably used with a mat of fibrous material 540 and 540′ that can be of randomly oriented synthetic, air-permeable fibers with varying mesh sizes. The synthetic fibers, such as made by nylon and polyester are randomly aligned into a web. The thickness of the mat typically is of from about 0.5 to 3 inches. The air-permeable mat 540, 540′ can be cut into strips the length and width of which is determined by the length and width of the baffled roll vent for which the strip is used. The mat 540, 540′ can be placed on roof tiles 440 and 440′ and underneath louver portion 370. Alternatively, the mat 540, 540′ may be integrated to the baffled roll vent 100 during manufacture or post-manufacture by any known method including, but not limited to, adhesively fixing, using burrs or by hooking the mat with hooks integral with the baffled roll vent 100.
The process of installing the baffled roll vent 100 includes the steps of placing the spirally-rolled vent 100 over the ridge slot 500 of the roof ridge; uncoiling the baffled roll vent 100 on the ridge slot 500 of the ridge; flexing the baffled roll vent at a center hinge to conform to the roof; and fixing the baffled roll vent 100 to the roof. Nails, screws, hooks, rivets or adhesives or any other known method can fix the baffled roll vent 100 to the roof. Further, a fibrous mat 540, 540′ can be placed along the roof ridge adjacent to the ridge slot 500 prior to placing the spirally rolled vent 100 over the ridge slot 500.
An end cap 560 can cover the baffled roll vent as shown in
In
By creating a lower center portion and raised baffle area the invention is able to increase the net free area of the vent. “Net Free Area” or NFA means the cross-sectional area of a ventilator system which is open for passage of air there through. This embodiment also provides for better application with a nail gun. The lower center portion is preferably ⅝ inches in height providing for a fastener from a nail gun to fully penetrate into the roofing substrates below the vent.
The unitary panel 604 extends laterally between the louver portions 670 and is integral with the external baffle 606. This creates discreet but semi-independent louver portions substantially enclosed by the unitary panel 604. The end baffle 606 is preferably a unitary baffle extending the length of the panel. Side baffles 612 extend downward from the unitary panel 604 between the louver portions 670 at a length substantially equal to the panel's height.
The underside of the invention may be of the embodiment partially shown in
The side baffles 612 are shown in
Further,
Preferably, male interlock parts 700 protrude from the edge 720 of vent section 750, and female interlock parts 710 are cut into or built into the edge 730 of vent section 750. As shown, the male interlock parts 700 are t-shaped and of a peg structure, and the female parts 710 are shaped as receptacles, but they are not limited to such structures. The shape of the male interlock parts 700 can be t-shaped, peg shaped, oval shaped, square shaped, round shaped, and the female interlock parts 710 will have a structure corresponding to or accommodating the male interlock parts 700, such as appropriate openings or receptacles. Any other type of geometry known for male-female connectors can be used and is not limited to the above. The shape of the male and female interlock parts are also designed so that it is easy to separate the vent sections 750 from each other, as well as to attach the vent sections 750 to each other.
In this manner, when each separate vent section 750 is rolled to form the baffled roll vent 100, the male interlock parts 700 of one vent section 750 line up with the female interlock parts 710 of another vent section 750, and lock together in place to keep the baffled roll vent 100 together.
As seen in
More male interlock parts 700 and corresponding female interlock parts 710 can be used to provide more stability, with consideration given to cost, design, ease of manufacture and installation, etc. Such a structure of a baffled roll vent 100 provides a baffled roll vent that does not have to be cut or separated by the manufacturer or installer, but can be attached and/or broken into separate vent sections 750. No tools or cutting equipment are required.
Accordingly, it should be readily appreciated that the device and method of the present invention has many practical applications. Additionally, although the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,127, filed Mar. 1, 2005.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11069127 | Mar 2005 | US |
Child | 11385598 | Mar 2006 | US |