Patent Application
20240068662
The present invention relates generally to the field of exhaust vent covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exhaust vent soot guard device. The device is primarily comprised of a base plate, a hood, and at least one fastener. The base plate can be secured to the exterior of a building above an exhaust fan via the fastener, wherein the hood attaches to the base plate and is comprised of a first half and a second half that form an angle of less than 180 degrees. The hood blocks soot and heat from exiting the exhaust fan and traveling upwards to damage the exterior of the building. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Many homes and other buildings utilize a natural gas or propane fireplace. The exhaust vent for said fireplace is typically located outdoors. An exhaust vent is typically installed on the exterior of a home. During use, the vent expels soot and debris upward. However, this may cause soot and heat to travel up the exterior walls of a home. This can cause damage, peeling, and cracking of exterior paints and siding.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that can be positioned on an exterior of a home or building above an exhaust vent. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that prevents heat from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that prevents soot from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an exhaust vent soot guard device. The device is primarily comprised of a base plate, a hood, and at least one fastener. The base plate can be secured to the exterior of a building above an exhaust vent via the fastener. The hood attaches to the base plate and is comprised of a first half and a second half that form an angle of less than 180 degrees. The hood blocks soot and heat from exiting the exhaust fan and traveling upward to damage the exterior of the building. The angle of the hood also prevents precipitation from collecting on the hood.
In this manner, the exhaust vent soot guard device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an exhaust vent soot guard device that can be positioned on an exterior of a home or building above an exhaust vent. During use, the device prevents heat from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building. In addition, the device also prevents soot from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an exhaust vent soot guard device primarily comprised of a base plate, a hood, and at least one fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the device is made from a durable metal material that is corrosion resistant. In one embodiment, the device is made from a sheet metal material. In another embodiment, the device is made from a heat-resistant plastic material. The device may be any color known in the art.
In one embodiment, the device is comprised of at least one indicia. The indicia may be in the form of a pattern, graphic, design, etc., that allows the device to blend in with the exterior of a home or building. To accomplish this, the indicia may resemble any exterior finish material such as, but not limited to, siding, stucco, stone, brick, etc.
Similarly, the material of the device may be textured to resemble any exterior finish such as, but not limited to, siding, stucco, stone, brick, etc. In one embodiment, the device may be stamped to achieve this texture. In another embodiment, the device may be molded to achieve this texture.
In one embodiment, the base plate of the device may be rectangular in shape. In another embodiment, the base plate is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member and second member form an angle that is 90 degrees or less. Although, the members may form any angle that is less than 180 degrees.
The first member and second member are each comprised of at least one opening. The openings receive at least one fastener. The fastener allows the first member and the second member to attach to the exterior of a building or home.
In one embodiment, the hood is fixedly attached to the base plate. In another embodiment, the device is removably attached to the base plate via at least one fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the hood is comprised of a first half and a second half that are formed by at least one crease or fold. As a result of the crease, the device preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees that correspond with the angle formed by the members of the base plate. As a result of the angle formed by the crease, the angle of the hood prevents rain, snow, etc., from collecting on the hood.
During use, the device can be placed above an exhaust vent on the exterior of a home or other building. The hood prevents heat and soot from traveling upward and collecting and damaging the exterior above the hood. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the hood is comprised of a non-stick coating that prevents soot from collecting on the bottom surface.
Accordingly, the exhaust vent soot guard device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an exhaust vent soot guard device that can be positioned on an exterior of a home or building above an exhaust vent. During use, the device prevents heat and soot from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building. In this manner, the exhaust vent soot guard device provides a solution to heat and soot from an exhaust vent damaging the exterior of a home or building.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that can be positioned on an exterior of a home or building above an exhaust vent. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that prevents heat from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an exhaust vent soot guard device that prevents soot from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an exhaust vent soot guard device primarily comprised of a base plate, a hood, and at least one fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the device is made from a durable metal material that is corrosion resistant. The metal material may be a sheet metal material. In another embodiment, the device is made from a heat-resistant plastic material. The device may be any color known in the art.
The device may be comprised of at least one indicia in the form of a pattern, graphic, design, etc. This allows the device to blend in with the exterior of a home or building. The indicia may resemble any exterior finish material such as, but not limited to, siding, stucco, stone, brick, etc.
Similarly, the material of the device may be textured to resemble any exterior finish such as, but not limited to, siding, stucco, stone, brick, etc. In one embodiment, the device may be stamped to achieve this texture. In another embodiment, the device may be molded to achieve this texture.
The base plate of the device may be rectangular in shape. In another embodiment, the base plate is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member and second member form an angle that is 90 degrees or less. Although, the members may form any angle that is less than 180 degrees.
The first member and second member are each comprised of at least one opening. The openings receive at least one fastener. The fastener allows the first member and the second member to attach to the exterior of a building or home.
In one embodiment, the hood is fixedly attached to the base plate. Alternatively, the hood may be removably attached to the base plate via at least one fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the hood is comprised of a first half and a second half that are formed by at least one crease or fold. As a result of the crease, the device preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees that corresponds with the angle formed by the members of the base plate. As a result of the angle formed by the crease, the angle of the hood prevents rain, snow, etc., from collecting on the hood.
The device can be placed above an exhaust vent on the exterior of a home or other building. The hood prevents heat and soot from traveling upward and collecting and damaging the exterior above the hood. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the hood is comprised of a non-stick coating that prevents soot from collecting on the bottom surface.
Accordingly, the exhaust vent soot guard device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an exhaust vent soot guard device that can be positioned on an exterior of a home or building above an exhaust vent. During use, the device prevents heat and soot from traveling upward and damaging the exterior of a home or building. In this manner, the exhaust vent soot guard device provides a solution to heat and soot from an exhaust vent damaging the exterior of a home or building.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first member 120 is comprised of at least one opening 122. The opening 122 receives at least one fastener 160. The fastener 160 allows the first member to attach to the exterior 20 of a building or home. The fastener 160 may be any type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, etc.
The second member 130 is comprised of at least one opening 132. The opening 132 receives at least one fastener 160. The fastener 160 allows the first member to attach to the exterior 20 of a building or home. The fastener 160 may be any type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, etc.
The device 100 is also comprised of at least a hood 140. The hood 140 is fixedly attached to the base plate 110 or may be removably attached via at least one fastener 160. In the preferred embodiment, the hood 140 is comprised of a first half 142 and a second half 142 that are formed by at least one crease 150 or fold. In this manner, the hood 140 preferably forms an angle less than 90 degrees that corresponds with the angle formed by the members 120,130 of the base plate 110. However, the halves 142, 144 of the hood 140 may form any angle that is less than 180 degrees. As a result, the angle of the hood 140 prevents rain, snow, etc., from collecting on the hood 140.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “exhaust vent soot guard device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 of the present invention. Additionally, it is contemplated that the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 can also be used on any natural gas or propane heater, as well.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the exhaust vent soot guard device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/400,439, which was filed on Aug. 24, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63400439 | Aug 2022 | US |
