UNIVERSAL TILE RIDGE VENT

Abstract

A universal tile roof ridge vent (UTRV) and the method of its use and construction are disclosed. The UTRV may include a vent body including one or more holes, a perforated barrier, such as coupled to the vent body, and a nonwoven polyester baffle to cover the one or more holes. The UTRV may include a hood coupled to the body, along with two mortar stops and two end braces. The multiple barrier system limits debris, such as wind driven rain, from entering the vent body and attic.

Description

FIELD

This application relates to a universal tile roof ridge vent and the method of its use and construction.

BACKGROUND

Ridge ventilation of tile roofs is known. Roof ridge ventilation systems for tile roofs typically require a ridge board installed using separate brackets and the separate installation of two or more vent pieces to support the cap tile and to provide a base for installing vent bodies or the use of a perforated rolled vent. Further, roof ridge ventilation systems on tile roofs may allow wind-driven rainwater and other rainwater to enter a ventilated space through the roof ventilation system or provide inadequate ventilation due to design and method of application.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes, in one example, a vent body and a perforated barrier. The ventilation system further includes a nonwoven polyester baffle, such as located above the perforated barrier.

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a universal tile ridge vent (UTRV). The UTRV includes, in one example, a vent body including multiple holes and a perforated barrier to minimize water intrusion. The UTRV further includes a nonwoven polyester baffle adjacent to the perforated barrier to further limit water intrusion into the vent body.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows and may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification and will be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure will be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. One skilled in the art may understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure will advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of an example universal tile ridge vent (UTRV) as described herein.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate perspective views of the UTRV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a vent body of the UTRV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a hood of the UTRV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates an UTRV attached to a roof.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective end view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate perspective views of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the UTRV of FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric perspective view of another UTRV as described herein and showing the UTRV supporting a ridge tile cap.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cutaway isometric perspective view of the UTRV of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the UTRV of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the UTRV of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 illustrates the end view of the UTRV of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 illustrates two UTRVs of FIG. 18 installed together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A universal tile ridge vent (UTRV) and methods of its use and construction are disclosed herein. The UTRV may be used with barrel tile, flat tile, or S-tile roofs with a flat top or barrel style ridge cap tile. The UTRV may be used with clay, concrete, metal, or synthetic tile roofs. The UTRV may provide ridge cap tile support and/or improved net free area (NFA) air flow for ventilation of an attic compared to some conventional vents.

FIGS. 1-17 illustrate various views and implementations of a UTRV 100 as described herein. The UTRV 100, which may be referred to as a ventilation system or simply a vent, includes a vent body 110, which may be an elongated member, for example, without intent to limit. The vent body 110 may include one or more flanges 114 (e.g., ridge cut attachment flanges on both sides of the vent body 110) for attaching the UTRV 100 to a roof deck (e.g., via mechanical fastening directly into the roof deck). Such fastening may be accomplished using nails, scrails, screws, or other fasteners. In embodiments, the flanges 114 may include a 180-degree hemmed edge 116. Such examples may ensure that the flanges 114 are flat and maintain surface contact with the roof deck, such as to limit moisture penetration under the UTRV 100 and into a ridge slot and attic, for instance, when used in combination with a sealant between the UTRV 100 and an underlayment of the roof deck.

The vent body 110 may double as a structural member to support the weight of a ridge cap tile while also providing for sufficient air flow for venting an attic. For instance, the vent body 110 may have one or more vent openings 120 on either side (e.g., on one side or on both sides of vent body 110) to allow sufficient air flow for ventilation. The vent body 110 may provide, for example, a minimum net free area (NFA) of about 20 square inches per lineal foot. The vent body 110 may be fabricated from a thick material, such as 26-gauge steel, to provide rigidity combined with one or more bends to support the cap weight and reinforce the roof.

As shown, the UTRV 100 includes a hood 122 coupled to the vent body 110. The hood 122 may be an elongated, solid member positioned on top of the vent body 110 to limit wind driven rain (or other moisture) from entering the UTRV 100 from the top or from the side under a ridge cap tile, or from outside the ridge cap tile when the UTRV 100 extends past the end of the ridge cap tile. The hood 122 may be fixed to the top of the vent body 110, such as via fasteners, or other means such as clenching or riveting.

In some examples, the UTRV 100 includes a perforated barrier 124. As shown, the perforated barrier 124 may be coupled (e.g., attached) to an underside of the hood 122, such as to limit ingress of one or more elements to the vent openings 120. The perforated barrier 124 may prevent, reduce, or minimize the ingress of one or more elements (e.g., burning embers) entering into the vent openings 120 and attic. For example, the perforated barrier 124 may include perforations sufficiently small in diameter to stop or limit firebrands and/or burning or smoldering embers from entry into the UTRV 100 and attic. The perforated barrier 124 may also allow for adequate net free ventilation area for the egress of stale attic air while also providing resistance to the entry of wind driven rain into the UTRV 100 and attic.

The perforated barrier 124 may be coupled to the hood 122 in many configurations. For example, the UTRV 100 may include one or more clenching lances 126 from an outside of the hood 122 that secure and fix the perforated barrier 124 to the inside of the hood 122. In embodiments, a leg of the perforated barrier 124 may inset into a 180-degree hemmed edge 126 of the hood 122. In such embodiments, the formed angle or leg of the perforated barrier 124 may be clenched down (e.g., via clenching lances 126) to keep the perforated barrier 124 securely inserted into the hemmed edge 126 inside the hood 122.

In some examples, the UTRV 100 further includes one or more splash guards 130 coupled (e.g., affixed) to the vent body 110 and to the perforated barrier 124. The splash guards 130 may further reduce or minimize wind driven rain entering the UTRV 100 and attic. For example, the splash guards 130 may block or limit the inward ingress of water from entering through the perforated barrier 124. In embodiments, the angle of the perforated barrier 124 relative to the plane of the splash guard 130 may inhibit or otherwise limit the upward migration of moisture and subsequent entry into the vent body 110 and attic. Additionally, the splash guards 130 may have a formed angle that redirects water away from the perforated barrier 124, providing additional measure of resistance to water infiltration.

As shown, the splash guards 130 may include a first end 132 coupled to the flanges 114 and a second end 134 spaced away from the vent body 110 and coupled to the perforated barrier 124, such as to create a space between the splash guard 130 and the vent body 110. In embodiments, the second end 134 of the splash guard 130 may include a formed angle in which an end of the perforated barrier 124 sits, although other configurations are contemplated.

In embodiments, the splash guard 130 and vent body 110 may include sleeved tabs 146 that extend the vent body 110 and splash guard 130 into an adjacent vent. During installation of multiple vents on the ridge of a roof, some sealing is needed at the joints that may be otherwise susceptible to water infiltration. The sleeved tabs 146 may overlap an adjacent UTRV 100 at the vent body 110 and splash guard 130, where absent the overlaps, sealant would be required to be field-applied by someone skilled in this application to limit water infiltration and migration into the vent, ridge slot, and attic. Further, the sleeved tabs 146 may allow an installer to install either end of the UTRV 100 to be adjacent to and interface/sealed with another UTRV 100. In this manner, the sleeved tabs 146 may allow for installation without application of sealant to the joint between adjacent UTRVs 100 and without considering the orientation of the UTRV 100 with respect to the adjacent UTRV 100. For example, the sleeved tabs 146 may extend on opposite sides and ends of the UTRV 100.

Additionally, or alternatively, full and continuous vent body overlap may seal out water from entering between adjacent vents. For instance, the vent body 110 at one end of the UTRV 100, including the flanges 114, may extend beyond other portions of the UTRV 100, including the hood 122, splash guard 130, and perforated barrier, 124, among other components (e.g., baffles, etc.). In such embodiments, a male portion of the vent body 110 may insert and overlap into the cavity of a female end of the adjacent UTRV 100. On the male end of the UTRV 100, there is a tapered male portion 150 of the attachment flange 114 that overlaps and extends into the female end of the attachment flange 114 of the adjacent UTRV 100. Such configurations may allow for a continuous overlap and effective barrier seal to water penetration between adjacent vents. Such configurations may also address the installation and sealing of adjacent vents where there is a roof ridge cut extending continuously from gable to gable where multiple vents are installed contiguously and require some sort of sealing in critical joints that might otherwise be susceptible to water infiltration.

In embodiments, the UTRV 100 includes a double baffle system configured to disrupt an internal air flow (e.g., entering the perforated barrier 124). For example, the UTRV 100 may include a bottom or lower baffle 156 and a top or upper baffle 158. The lower baffle 156 may disrupt a laminar air flow of wind driven rain that enters the perforated barrier 124 by disturbing the incoming air flow. Water that is redirected through such disruption of laminar air flow may drain out, such as falling back through the perforated barrier 124 to drain onto the flanges 114 and roof deck, versus the wind driven rain entering the vent openings 120 of the vent body 110 and into the attic through the ridge slot. In embodiments, the lower baffle 156 may be a stiffening and spacing member acting to space and locate the position of the lower baffle 156 while providing additional stiffening and rigidity to the UTRV 100. As shown, the lower baffle 156 may be coupled to the vent body 110 (e.g., below the vent openings 120), although other configurations are contemplated.

The upper baffle 158 may act to further disrupt the laminar air flow of wind driven rain that enters the perforated barrier 124 by disturbing the incoming wind driven rain not stopped by the lower baffle 156. Water that is redirected through such disruption of laminar air flow may also drain from the UTRV 100, such as falling back through the perforated barrier 124 to drain onto the flanges 114 and roof deck, versus the wind driven rain entering the vent openings 120 of the vent body 110 and into the attic through the ridge slot. As shown, the upper baffle 158 may be coupled to the hood 122, such as attached to the inside of the hood 122, although other configurations are contemplated.

The UTRV 100 may include additional features to further limit water intrusion. For instance, the UTRV 100 may include one or more weep holes 162 at the bottom of the splash guards 130 that function as a further barrier to water intrusion into the UTRV 100 and attic. Any water concentrating from wind driven rain not stopped by the lower and upper baffles 156, 158 may accumulate between the vent body 110 and the splash guard 130, where gravity will cause the water to drain out through the weep holes 162 onto the flanges 114 and roof deck.

In some embodiments, the top of the vent body 110 and hood 122 may include an indent 168. As shown, the indent 168 includes a V-shape (e.g., as viewed from a front or lengthwise end view shown in FIG. 9), although other configurations are contemplated. The indent 168 may provide increased stiffening to the UTRV 100, such as to support heavy ridge cap tiles, for instance. In embodiments, the indent 168 may provide a cavity (e.g., a lengthwise cavity at the top of the UTRV 100) for infill of mortar, foam or adhesive for attaching ridge cap tiles to the top of the UTRV 100.

In embodiments, the UTRV 100 may include one or more stiffening end caps 174 coupled to the vent body 110. For example, a stiffening end cap 174 may be positioned within, and coupled to, an interior of the vent body 110 adjacent each end of the UTRV 100. The stiffening end cap 174 may add rigidity to the UTRV 100, stiffening the UTRV 100 and preventing twisting. In this manner, the stiffening end cap 174 may define an internal brace providing stiffness and/or rigidity to the vent body 110.

The UTRV 100 may be partially or completely concealed from the exterior or outside, providing an aesthetic benefit. Unlike existing systems, the UTRV 100 may be installed without a ridge board, and no mortar may be required for installing separate injection molded pieces. The ridge cap tile 116 and UTRV 100 may generally be secured with mortar, foam, adhesive, or by mechanical fastening. Further, existing solutions may require the installation of individual brackets to separately secure the ridge board above the ridge slot. The UTRV 100 described herein may be integrated such that the UTRV 100 is installed as one piece without a ridge board or separate brackets and may be installed as a one-piece vent.

FIGS. 18-23 illustrate various views and implementations of another UTRV 1000 as described herein. As shown, the UTRV 1000, which may be referred to as a ventilation system, includes a vent body 1001, which may be an elongated single piece member, for example, without intent to limit. The vent body 1001 may include one or more flanges 1007 (e.g., ridge cut attachment flanges on both sides of the vent body 1001) for attaching the UTRV 1000 to a roof deck (e.g., via mechanical fastening directly into the roof deck). Such fastening may be accomplished using nails, screws, or other fasteners. In embodiments, the flanges 1007 may include a 180-degree hemmed edge. The top of the vent body 1001 includes a V-shape 1010. In embodiments, the V-shape 1010 may provide a cavity (e.g., a lengthwise cavity at the top of the UTRV 1000) for laying in mortar, foam, or adhesive for attaching ridge cap tiles to the top of the UTRV 1000.

The vent body 1001 may double as a structural member to support the weight of a ridge cap tile 1011 while also providing sufficient air flow for venting an attic. The vent body 1001 may be fabricated from a thick material, such as 26-gauge steel, to provide rigidity combined with one or more bends to support the cap weight. The vent body 1001 may have elongated holes 1008 on either side (e.g., on one side or on both sides of vent body 1001) to allow sufficient air flow for ventilation. The vent body 1001 may provide, for example, a net free area (NFA) of 20 square inches per lineal foot.

The UTRV 1000 includes a perforated barrier 1005, which is coupled to the mortar stop 1003, and subsequently attached to the vent body 1001. The perforated barrier 1005 and nonwoven polyester baffle 1006, which are combined to create a multiple barrier system, may prevent, reduce, or minimize the ingress of one or more elements (e.g., water and debris) from entering from the body of the UTRV 1000 and into the attic. The perforated barrier 1005 and nonwoven polyester baffle 1006 may also allow for adequate net free ventilation area for the egress of stale attic air while also providing resistance to the entry of wind driven rain into the UTRV 1000 and attic.

The vent body 1001 includes a male extension flange 1009, which when combined with a quality sealant and overlapped by the female end of the succeeding vent, provides a water-tight joint 1012.

In embodiments, the UTRV 1000 includes two C-shaped end braces 1002. In such embodiments, the braces 1002 may be coupled (e.g., mechanically fastened) to the vent body 1001 to limit or prevent the UTRV 1000 (e.g., vent body 1001) from spreading or distorting, such as when the flanges 1007 are bent to adjust the UTRV 1000 to the prevailing roof slope or pitch. Such spreading or distorting may occur when the flanges 1007 are adapted to a lower slope or a steeper slope than a factory pre-set slope for the flanges 1007.

In embodiments, the UTRV 1000 utilizes a hood 1004 which also includes the V-shape 1010 and allows for the containment of the outer edge of the perforated barrier 1005.

The UTRV 1000 may be partially or completely concealed from the exterior or outside, providing an aesthetic benefit. Unlike existing systems, the UTRV 1000 may be installed without a ridge board. The ridge cap tile 1011 may generally be secured to the UTRV 1000 with mortar, foam, adhesive, or by mechanical fastening. Further, existing solutions may require the installation of individual brackets to separately secure the ridge board above the ridge slot. The UTRV 1000 described herein may be integrated such that the UTRV 1000 is installed as one piece without a ridge board or separate brackets.

The ventilation systems disclosed herein may provide for concealment of the UTRV 1000, allowing for mortar, foam, adhesive, or mechanical fastening of ridge cap tiles to the vents. The UTRV 1000 may be simpler and easier to install than existing solutions. The UTRV 1000 may be used on both curved field tiles and flat field tiles, as well as being readily adaptable to different roof pitches.

The description of certain embodiments included herein is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or its applications or uses. In the included detailed description of embodiments of the present system and methods, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration specific to embodiments in which the described systems and methods may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice presently disclosed systems and methods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of embodiments of the disclosure. The included detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Of course, it is to be appreciated that any one of the examples, embodiments, or processes described herein may be combined with one or more other examples, embodiments, and/or processes or be separated and/or performed amongst separate devices or device portions in accordance with the present systems and methods.

Claims

1. A ventilation system comprising: a vent body;a perforated barrier; anda nonwoven polyester baffle located above the perforated barrier, creating a multiple barrier system that limits the intrusion of water and debris into the vent body and also allows for adequate net free ventilation area for the egress of stale attic air.

2. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the vent body comprises two flanges for attaching the ventilation system to a roof deck.

3. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising a male body extension flange for overlapping a female end of an adjacent vent.

4. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising two C-shaped end braces attached to an interior of the vent body.

5. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein a top of the vent body defines a V-shaped cavity.

6. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising two mortar stops, allowing for the packing of mortar between the two mortar stops and field tiles to prevent the intrusion of water underneath the tiles.

7. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising a hood defining a V-shape and allowing for the fixation of an outer edge of the perforated barrier.

8. A universal tile ridge vent (UTRV) comprising: a vent body comprising multiple holes;a perforated barrier to minimize water intrusion into the vent body; anda nonwoven polyester baffle adjacent to the perforated barrier to further limit water intrusion into the vent body.

9. The UTRV of claim 8, wherein the vent body comprises one or more flanges for attaching the UTRV to a roof deck.

10. The UTRV of claim 8, further comprising a male flange for overlapping a female end of an adjacent UTRV.

11. The UTRV of claim 8, further comprising an end brace attached to an interior of the vent body.

12. The UTRV of claim 8, wherein a top of the vent body defines a V-shaped cavity.

13. The UTRV of claim 8, further comprising a mortar stop for creating a seal to prevent water intrusion underneath the UTRV.

14. The UTRV of claim 8, further comprising a hood defining a V-shape and allowing for the fixation of an outer edge of the perforated barrier.