ROOF RIDGE VENT

Abstract

A ridge vent for a roof includes a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side. The vent also includes a plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body. The ports have a shape that permits the vent to be installed on the roof using a nail gun. An interlock system provides a positive and accurate interlock between adjacent vents when a series of vents are required to cover the ridgeline of the roof. The vent further provides a mechanical means for reliably mounting a filter, such as a spun-bond fabric weather filter, to the vent during manufacture and for retaining the filter in place during installation of the vent.

Description

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to vents and, more specifically, to roof ridge vents that are used to ventilate the roof of a building.

BACKGROUND

In many localities, the municipal building code requires that the attic area of a building (i.e., the space beneath the roof) be ventilated. Such ventilation promotes circulation of air in the attic space, and thus removes unwanted heat and moisture from that space. As a result, even where it is not required, providing such ventilation in a building is beneficial because it extends the useful life of the roof assembly, including the shingles that cover the roof.

Various types of vents have been developed and disposed on the roofs of buildings to provide the desired ventilation. In one implementation, the vents are installed over a slot that extends along the ridge of a roof. These types of vents are commonly referred to as “ridge vents” or “roof ridge vents.” Using a type of roof ridge vent known as a “sectional” or “stick” ridge vent, several stick ridge vents are installed end-to-end along the entire length of the ridge of the roof.

The stick ridge vents are secured to the roof assembly using suitable fasteners, which are typically nails. More specifically, known stick ridge vents are nailed to the roof of a building by hand (i.e., using a hammer). In addition, since several separate stick ridge vents are typically needed to cover the entire length of the ridge of a roof, great care must be taken to ensure that the separate stick ridge vents are aligned properly with respect to one another to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the roof. For these reasons, installing stick ridge vents on a roof correctly requires skill and diligence. As a result, consistent installation of sectional ridge vents is highly dependent upon the skill and diligence of the installer.

There is a need for a new roof ridge vent that requires less skill and diligence to install correctly, and which can be installed consistently. In particular, there is a need for a stick ridge vent that can be installed on a roof by coil nailing using a nail gun. In addition, there is a need for a stick ridge vent that is provided with an interlock system which provides a positive and accurate interlock between adjacent stick ridge vents installed on the ridgeline of the roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In exemplary embodiments, a vent for a roof includes a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side; and a plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body. The ports have a shape that will permit access by a nail gun to enable the vent to be installed on the roof using the nail gun.

In exemplary embodiments, each one of the plurality of ports of the vent may have a floor and a wall that extends upwardly from the floor.

In exemplary embodiments, the wall of each of the plurality of ports may be U-shaped.

In exemplary embodiments, the body of the vent may further include a top surface that is provided to face away from the roof, and the wall of each port may extend to the top surface of the body.

In exemplary embodiments, the floor of each port may have an upward cant toward the back of the port.

In exemplary embodiments, the upward cant may be about 15°.

In exemplary embodiments, the floor has a variable thickness.

In exemplary embodiments, each one of the plurality of ports may be flush mounted to the roof.

In exemplary embodiments, the nails from the nail gun are driven into the roof at each one of the plurality of the ports, and the nails may extend less than ½ of an inch above the surface of the roof.

In exemplary embodiments, the nails may extend no more than 3/16 of an inch above the surface of the roof.

In exemplary embodiments, the vent may be installed on the roof without being distorted.

In exemplary embodiments, the body of the vent may further include a bottom surface that is provided to face toward the roof, and a plurality of retainer clips may protrude from the bottom surface to provide a means for mounting a filter a predetermined distance from the bottom surface.

In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of retainer clips may have an arrowhead shape.

In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of retainer clips may have a fish-hook shape.

In exemplary embodiments, the vent may further include an interlock clip disposed on one of the first and second ends of the body of the vent.

In exemplary embodiments, the interlock clip may comprise a tapered clip.

In exemplary embodiments, the vent may further include an interlock receptacle disposed on the other one of the first and second ends of the body of the vent.

In exemplary embodiments, the vent may have four ports formed in the first side of the body.

In exemplary embodiments, the vent may have four ports formed in the second side of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a top side of a stick ridge vent in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a portion of the top side of the stick ridge vent of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a bottom side of the stick ridge vent of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a portion of the bottom side of the stick ridge vent of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of two interconnected stick ridge vents in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention generally relates to a vent for a roof. In exemplary embodiments, the vent includes a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side. The vent also includes a plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body. The ports have a shape that permits the vent to be installed on the roof using a nail gun. The vent also includes an interlock system which provides a positive and accurate interlock between adjacent vents when a series of vents are required to cover the ridgeline of the roof. The vent further provides a mechanical means for reliably mounting a filter, such as a spun-bond fabric weather filter, to the vent during manufacture and for retaining the filter in place during installation of the vent.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a top isometric view of a stick ridge vent 100 which is used to ventilate a roof of a building (not shown). The stick ridge vent 100 has a resilient elongated body 10 defined by a first end 12, a second end 14, a first side 16, a second side 18, a top surface 20 (which faces away from the roof and toward the sky when the stick ridge vent 100 is installed), and a bottom surface 22 (shown in FIG. 3). In an exemplary embodiment, the stick ridge vent 100 has a length of about 4 to 5 feet and a width of about 1 foot. Typically, when installed on a roof, the stick ridge vent 100 will have a shingle cap (not shown) attached to the top surface 20. The shingle cap will typically match the shingles that have already been installed on the roof, to preserve the aesthetic appeal of the roof.

The first and second ends 12, 14 each contain a plurality of passages 24 which are formed by a predetermined arrangement of angled members 26. The passages 24 provide a path for air to flow through the stick ridge vent 100. Orienting the members 26 at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to their respective first and second ends 12, 14 permits external air to flow through the stick ridge vent 100 while also providing a barrier to the entry of weather, such as rain and snow, into the stick ridge vent 100.

A plurality of closely spaced slots 28 are provided in the sides 16, 18 of the body 10. The slots 28 provide a means for hot air from the roof of a building to escape through the stick ridge vent 100. The slots 28 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having a generally rectangular shape. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the slots 28 can be formed in any desired shape so long as they permit hot air to escape from the roof of the building through the stick ridge vent 100.

External baffles 30 extend upwardly from sides 16, 18 to shield at least a portion of the slots 28. In exemplary embodiments, the external baffles are integrally formed with the sides 16, 18. The external baffles 30 deflect external airflow, such as wind, up and away from the slots 28 and over the stick ridge vent 100. The resulting area of low pressure that is created over the slots 28 pulls air from the roof of the building and out of the stick ridge vent 100 through the slots 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external baffles 30 can be coupled to the sides 16, 18 and/or to the first and second ends 12, 14 of the body 10 via extensions 32. However, if desired, in an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the stick ridge vent 100 can be provided without the extensions 32, as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stick ridge vent 100 includes a plurality of ports 34 formed in the sides 16, 18 of the body 10 to receive a fastener, such as a nail. In exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present invention, each port 34 is shaped so that it can accept a nail from a nail gun (not shown). Thus, the ports 34 enable the stick ridge vent 100 to be nailed to a roof using a nail gun. As a result, an installer of the stick ridge vent 100 requires less skill and diligence to install the stick ridge vent 100 correctly.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each port 34 has a floor 36 and a generally U-shaped wall 38 extending upwardly from the floor 36 to the top surface 20. The floor 36 of each port 34 has an upward cant of about 15° from the open end 40 of the port 34 at the side edge 16, 18 to the spine 42 at the back of the port 34. In exemplary embodiments, the thickness of the floor 36 of each port 34 varies between the open end 40 of the port 34 at the side edge 16, 18 to the spine 42 at the back of the port 34. In such embodiments, the stick ridge vent 100 can be nailed to the roof by driving a nail from a nail gun through a thinner portion of the floor 36. In this way, the same type of nail that is used to nail shingles to the roof can also be used to nail the stick ridge vent 100 to the roof.

The upward cant of the floor 36 promotes flush mounting of each port 34 to the roof, which results in an aesthetically desirable low profile for the stick ridge vent 100 on the roof. The flush mounting of the ports 34 to the roof also enables retention of the nails closer to the sheathing on the roof (e.g., 3/16 of an inch in accordance with exemplary embodiments, as opposed to more than ½ inch in prior systems). As such, the use of the ports 34 in the stick ridge vent 100 prevents distortion of the stick ridge vent 100 when it is secured to the roof.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom isometric view of the stick ridge vent 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the stick ridge vent 100 includes a bottom surface 22, which faces the roof and ridgeline when the stick ridge vent 100 is installed. A plurality of spacers 48 are provided on the bottom surface 22 to provide a predetermined spacing between the roof and the bottom surface 22, and to prevent the body 10 of the stick ridge vent 100 from collapsing. The spacers 48 are disposed at predetermined positions along the sides 16, 18 of the stick ridge vent 100. In exemplary embodiments, the spacers 48 have a generally rectangular shape, and they project perpendicularly from the sides 16, 18 and slots 28 toward a longitudinal centerline 50 of the stick ridge vent 100. In exemplary embodiments, the spacers 22 are integrally formed with the bottom surface 22.

As also shown in FIG. 3, in exemplary embodiments, a first internal baffle 52 is provided between the spacers 48 located nearest first end 12, and a second internal baffle 54 is provided between the spacers 48 located nearest second end 14. If an external wind exceeds a certain speed (e.g., greater than 3 mph), it can create a back pressure that prevents air from exhausting from the stick ridge vent 100. First and second baffles 52, 54 direct air flow within the stick ridge vent 100 to equalize pressure and avoid stagnation of air within the stick ridge vent 100.

In exemplary embodiments, the structure of the first internal baffle 52 will be similar to the arrangement of angled members 26 and passages 24 provided at the first end 12, and the structure of the second internal baffle 54 will be similar to the arrangement of angled members 26 and passages 24 provided at the second end 14 of the stick ridge vent 100. First and second internal baffles 52, 54 also act as stiffening sections to prevent the body 10 of the stick ridge vent 100 from collapsing.

As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in exemplary embodiments, a plurality of spacers 56 are also provided on the bottom surface 22. The spacers 56 project outwardly from the spines 42 of the ports 34 toward the longitudinal centerline 50 of the stick ridge vent 100. In exemplary embodiments, the spacers 56 have a generally rectangular shape, and are integrally formed with the bottom surface 22.

In exemplary embodiments, a retainer clip 58 protrudes from each of the spacers 56. In exemplary embodiments, the retainer clip 58 can protrude from any portion of the bottom surface 22. The retainer clips 58 provide a mechanical means for reliably mounting a filter, such as a spun-bond fabric weather filter (not shown), a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 22 during manufacture and for retaining the filter in place during installation of the stick ridge vent 100. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer clips 58 can have an arrowhead shape. However, in exemplary embodiments, the hooks 58 can take the shape of a fish hook, or any other shape that is effective in mounting and retaining a weather filter to the stick ridge vent 100.

In exemplary embodiments, the stick ridge vent 100 includes an interlock system which provides a positive and accurate interlock between adjacent stick ridge vents 100 installed on the ridgeline of the roof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second end 14 of the stick ridge vent 100 includes a pair of tapered interlock clips 44, each of which is disposed at a predetermined distance from the sides 16, 18 of the stick ridge vent 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end 12 of stick ridge vent 100 includes a pair of interlock receptacles 46, each of which is disposed at the same predetermined distance from the sides 16, 18 as is its corresponding tapered interlock clip 44 at the second end 14. Each interlock receptacle 46 is configured to accept a tapered interlock clip 44 from an adjacent stick ridge vent 100.

When installing a series of stick ridge vents 100 over the ridge line of a roof, proper alignment of the series of stick ridge vents 100 is ensured by inserting the tapered interlock clips 44 at the second end 14 of one stick ridge vent 100 into the corresponding mating interlock receptacle 46 at the first end 12 of the adjacent stick ridge vent 100. In this way, the tapered interlock system promotes easier installation of the stick ridge vents 100 on a roof ridgeline by enabling self-alignment of a series of stick ridge vents 100 on a ridgeline of a roof, which facilitates coil nailing of the interlocked series of stick ridge vents 100 in place over the ridgeline of a roof using a nail gun.

As shown in FIG. 5, when adjacent stick ridge vents 100 are interlocked to one another using the self-aligning, tapered interlock system, a gap 60 results between adjacent stick ridge vents 100 due to the presence of the interlock receptacle 46 at first end 12 of one of the stick ridge vents 100 and of tapered interlock clip 44 at the second end 14 of the adjacent stick ridge vent 100. This gap 60 advantageously prevents buckling of the interlocked series of stick ridge vents 100 by providing relief as the individual stick ridge vents 100 inevitably expand and contract over time due to changing environmental conditions.

In exemplary embodiments, the stick ridge vent 100 is manufactured by an injection molding process on a 750+ ton press. Certain properties are desired from the compound from which the stick ridge vent 100 is manufactured, including better retention of fasteners (e.g., nails), nail gun impact tolerance at sub-zero temperatures, and low to no creep at 100° C. In exemplary embodiments, the compound includes recycled homopolymer polypropylene, reclaimed styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), mineralization, recycled tire crumb rubber, and a branched co-polymer.

In exemplary embodiments, the compound is temperature, pressure, and time reactive, resulting in a de- to re-vulcanization process. In exemplary embodiments, the compound incorporates an advanced dispersion of the heavy elastomers in the center, light on the surface, and mineralization in support lattice and edges.

While the various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention have been outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims and not by the foregoing specification.

Claims

1. A vent for a roof, the vent comprising: a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side; anda plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body, the ports having a shape that will permit access by a nail gun to enable the vent to be installed on the roof using the nail gun.

2. The vent of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of ports comprises a floor and a wall extending upwardly from the floor.

3. The vent of claim 2, wherein the wall is U-shaped.

4. The vent of claim 3, wherein: the body further comprises a top surface that is provided to face away from the roof; andthe wall of each port extends to the top surface.

5. The vent of claim 2, wherein the floor of each port has an upward cant from one of the first side and the second side toward the back of the port.

6. The vent of claim 5, wherein the upward cant is about 15°.

7. The vent of claim 2, wherein the floor has a variable thickness.

8. The vent of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of ports is flush mounted to the roof.

9. The vent of claim 8, wherein: nails from the nail gun are driven into the roof at each one of the plurality of the ports; andthe nails extend less than ½ of an inch above the surface of the roof.

10. The vent of claim 9, wherein the nails extend no more than 3/16 of an inch above the surface of the roof.

11. The vent of claim 1, wherein the vent can be installed on the roof without being distorted.

12. The vent of claim 1, wherein: the body further comprises a bottom surface that is provided to face toward the roof; anda plurality of retainer clips protrude from the bottom surface to provide a means for mounting a filter a predetermined distance from the bottom surface.

13. The vent of claim 12, wherein the plurality of retainer clips have an arrowhead shape.

14. The vent of claim 12, wherein the plurality of retainer clips have a fish-hook shape.

15. The vent of claim 1, further comprising at least one interlock clip disposed on one of the first and second ends.

16. The vent of claim 15, wherein the at least one interlock clip comprises a tapered clip.

17. The vent of claim 15, further comprising an interlock receptacle disposed on the other one of the first and second ends.

18. The vent of claim 1, wherein the plurality ports comprises four ports formed in the first side of the body.

19. The vent of claim 1, wherein the plurality ports comprises four ports formed in the second side of the body.