Patent Application
20110124281
Roof vents are designed to permit air flow from an attic space and prevent moisture accumulation in the attic. These vents provide two functions, they allow air in or out, and they prevent water from entering the opening.
In order to prevent water entering through the vent opening, the roof vent generally extends above the roof line. This detracts from the appearance of the roof.
Although there are low profile roof vents, these generally are difficult to assemble and have limited air flow.
The present invention is premised on the realization that an efficient, low profile roof vent includes a base tray which extends from the roof line into the roof with side and rear walls extending partially up from the tray, in combination with a water shield portion which has side walls that extend into the base tray. Spacing between the base tray walls and the water shield provides an air flow path. The base tray and water shield are bonded together providing a base unit which extends into the roof surface. A cover prevents a substantial portion of water from entering the roof vent. Any water that does enter into the roof vent is collected in the base tray and flows out the forward edge of the base tray back onto the roof surface. The water shield prevents water from splashing out the base tray into the attic surface.
This vent can be easily manufactured using injection molding techniques which reduce costs. The structure provides a circuitous air path which prevents water from entering the attic.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which:
The vent 10 of the present invention includes a base 12 and a cover 14. The base includes a peripheral flange 16, a base tray 18 and a water shield member 20. The base tray includes a base tray 22 which includes a base 23, a back wall 24, and side walls 26 and 28. The base tray 18 is supported by corner supports 32 and 34 which extend upwardly to a peripheral ledge 36 in turn bonded to peripheral flange 16. A front edge 38 of the base 23 extends and is continuous with a lower flange 40. Side walls 26 and 28 extend from supports 32 and 34 to the ledge 36 and flange 40.
As designed, the base tray 18 provides a rear air path 42 and side air paths 44 and 46, which permit air flow over the walls of the base pan 22 and, as is described hereinafter, out of the vent.
The water shield 20 which is formed separately from the base tray 18 member and is integral with flange 16. Flange 16 includes a top flange member 50 and side flange members 52 and 54. Further, there is a lower brace member 56 which extends from side flange member 52 to side flange member 54. The water shield 20 further includes a downwardly extended back wall 58 which extends from an inner edge 61 of the top flange member 50 and side wall member 62 extending from inner edge 64 and side wall member 66 extending from inner edge member 68. The wall members 58, 62 and 66 are spaced inwardly from the back wall 24 and side walls 26 and 28 of the base tray 18, providing an air path from the base tray 18 through the opening 69 within the peripheral flange 16. The base tray 18 is bonded or joined to the water shield member 20 with the peripheral ledge 36 bonded to a lower surface 71 of the peripheral flange 50. Further, the lower portions 53,55 of side flanges 52,54 rest and are bound to lower flange 40. A water flow path 67 runs from brace 56 over flange 40. Preferably, these two pieces are joined by an adhesive or by sonic welding or the like, which, in turn, allows the two separate pieces to be formed by injection molding. As constructed, the base tray 18 is larger than the opening 69 defined by peripheral flange 16.
The top cover 14 in turn includes a peripheral flange 73 which is at least as large as peripheral flange 16. Cover 14 includes a series of cross vents or louvers 75 which provide air openings 74 through the cover 14.
To install the vent of the present invention, an opening 72 is cut through the roof support surface 76, generally plywood or particle board. As the roof is being covered with shingles 78 or other roofing surface (shingles shown), the base 12 is fixed to the roof surface 76 with the lower flange 40 covering the lower shingles 80 that abuts the bottom edge of the opening 72.
The cover 14 can simply be nailed or screwed in position with the nail or screw heads covered with a silicone caulk, or the like. The remaining shingles 78 are then installed around the flange 73, as would be done with any other vent or roof penetration. Because flanges 52 and 54 rest on flange 40, water flow path 67 remains open between the lower edge 92 of flange 73 and lower flange 40. This allows water to flow from base tray 18 out the vent.
The vent 10 of the present invention thus has the upper surface or cover 14 flush with the roof surface. The openings 74 in the vent cover 14 face or open downwardly, which prevents most water from entering the vent. If any water should enter the vent openings 74, for example during high winds, or the like, the water will be collected in the base tray 18 and flow outwardly through the water flow path 67. Even if water splashes in through the openings 74, the water shield member will prevent the water from splashing over the walls 24, 26 and 28 of the base tray 18. This structure further provides significant area for air flow while, at the same time, minimizes the possibility of any water entering into the attic through the vent 10.
This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims, wherein we claim:
