U.S. patent application number 09/444036 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for attic vent with a one-piece, fitted skeleton.
Invention is credited to O'HAGIN, HARRY.
Application Number | 20010039776 09/444036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21878277 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010039776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'HAGIN, HARRY |
November 15, 2001 |
ATTIC VENT WITH A ONE-PIECE, FITTED SKELETON
Abstract
The present invention provides a ventilation system for an attic
or rafter space that mimics the appearance of the roofing material
and thus has little effect on the appearance of the building. The
vent has two pieces, a primary vent and a secondary vent and they
may be made of aluminum, galvanized steel or copper. The primary
vent is installed on a roof deck over a ventilation opening cut
through the deck. The secondary vent is constructed to look like
the surrounding field tiles and is installed over the primary vent.
One or more vent openings in the secondary vent and an opening in
the primary vent conduct air between the attic or rafter space and
the outside. The secondary vent has a skeleton with one or more
vent openings and a cap covering each opening shielding the
ventilating space. Skeletons are formed in one piece and are made
to fit each different size and type of roofing tile. The caps and
the skeleton are ribbed for rigidity. The caps are made in one size
only to minimize manufacturing and inventory complexity, thus any
cap may be fitted on any skeleton.
Inventors: |
O'HAGIN, HARRY; (SEBASTOPOL,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RACHELE WITTWER
IRELL & MANELLA LLP
1800 AVENUE OF THE STARS
SUITE 900
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
|
Family ID: |
21878277 |
Appl. No.: |
09/444036 |
Filed: |
November 19, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09444036 |
Nov 19, 1999 |
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09034736 |
Mar 3, 1998 |
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6050039 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.1 ;
454/242; 454/250; 52/198; 52/199; 52/302.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/30 20130101; F24F
7/02 20130101; E04D 2001/309 20130101; E04D 13/17 20130101; E04D
2001/302 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.1 ;
52/302.3; 52/198; 52/199; 454/242; 454/250 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A roof vent for mounting between field tiles on a pitched, tile
roof, comprising: a primary vent for mounting on said roof in
ventilating communication with a roof opening there through; a roof
tile-shaped vent skeleton having an upslope edge and a parallel
downslope edge and a pitch axis perpendicular to said upslope and
said downslope edges, said vent skeleton is formed of a single
continuous piece of material and includes one or more vent
openings, said vent skeleton is mounted on said roof above said
primary vent with said pitch axis parallel to said roof pitch with
said vent openings in ventilating communication with said roof
opening; and a vent cap attached to said vent skeleton adjacent
each of said one or more vent openings creating a ventilating
access between said vent cap and said skeleton.
2. The roof vent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary vent,
said vent skeleton and said vent cap are formed of aluminum or
galvanized steel or copper.
3. The roof vent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton
further comprises: a plurality of ribs.
4. The roof vent as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ribs are
perpendicular to said pitch axis.
5. The roof vent as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of
ribs are formed into said single continuous piece of material.
6. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said upslope and
downslope edges precisely fit against adjacent upslope and
downslope field tiles respectively.
7. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton has
a cap flange to precisely fit under and against a cap of an
adjacent field tile.
8. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton has
a pan flange to precisely fit against a pan of an adjacent field
tile.
9. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton and
said roof vent caps are mounted together in the shape of an S-style
clay or concrete tile.
10. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton
and said roof vent caps are mounted together in the shape of
mission style tiles.
11. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton
and said roof vent caps are mounted together in the shape of
villa-style roof tiles.
12. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton
and said roof vent caps are mounted together in the shape of
double-wide roof tiles.
13. The roof vent claimed in claim 1, wherein said vent skeleton
and said vent caps are mounted together in the shape of the
surrounding roof tiles.
14. The roof vent claimed in claim 3, further comprising: Said
primary vent and said vent skeleton and said vent caps are painted
or fused with color to match the surrounding roof tiles.
15. A roof vent for mounting between field tiles on a pitched, tile
roof, comprising: a primary vent for mounting on said roof in
ventilating communication with a roof opening there through; a roof
tile-shaped vent skeleton having an upslope edge and a parallel
downslope edge and a pitch axis perpendicular to said upslope and
said downslope edges, said vent skeleton is formed of a single
continuous piece of material and includes one or more vent openings
and a plurality of ribs, said vent skeleton is mounted on said roof
above said primary vent with said pitch axis parallel to said roof
pitch with said vent openings in ventilating communication with
said roof opening; a vent cap attached to said vent skeleton
adjacent each of said one or more vent openings creating a
ventilating access between said vent cap and said skeleton; and
said primary vent, said vent skeleton and said vent cap are formed
of aluminum or galvanized steel or copper.
16. The roof vent as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ribs are
perpendicular to said pitch axis.
17. The roof vent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plurality of
ribs are formed into said single continuous piece of material.
18. The roof vent claimed in claim 15, wherein said vent skeleton
further comprises: a cap flange to precisely fit under and against
a cap of an adjacent field tile; a pan flange to precisely fit
against a pan of an adjacent field tile; and wherein said upslope
and downslope edges of said vent skeleton precisely fit against
adjacent upslope and downslope field tiles respectively.
19. The roof vent as claimed in claim 18, wherein said vent cap
further comprises: a front hem extending along said front edge; a
side hem extending along each of said side edges; a plurality of
ribs.
20. The roof vent as claimed in claim 19, wherein said ribs are
parallel to said front edge.
21. The roof vent as claimed in claim 19, wherein said plurality of
ribs, said vent cap, said side and front edges are formed of a
single continuous piece of material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to roof vents, and more specifically
to passive attic vents for use on tile roofs.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Energy efficiency is a serious consideration in new home
design. New homes require ways to minimize energy requirements to
maintain comfortable living spaces. One of the most common energy
losses in a home is due to heat transfer through the attic. In warm
climates, heat builds up in the attic from solar energy incident on
the roof. In colder climates, moisture builds up in the attic,
robbing the insulation of much of it's R value. Early efforts at
minimizing the effects of the heat and/or moisture build-up focused
on the insulation between the living space and the attic. Gable
vents and dormer type passive ventilation systems have been
incorporated to ventilate the attic. In the southwest, many homes
have low pitch, hip roofs which have no gables, and dormers may
destroy the aesthetics of a design if improperly located or too
numerous. Therefore, these systems have proven to be
inadequate.
[0005] A passive attic vent with a camouflaged appearance has been
marketed in recent years. This camouflaged vent has been difficult
to manufacture and install.
[0006] What is needed is an improved passive ventilation system
that will not effect the appearance of a building design if used in
adequate numbers to properly ventilate the attic, and is useable on
many roof configurations and with many types of roofing
material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a ventilation system for an
attic or rafter space that mimics the appearance of roofing tiles
and thus has a minimal negative effect on the appearance of the
building. The vent has two pieces, a primary vent, and a secondary
vent and they may be made of aluminum, steel or copper. The primary
vent is installed on a roof deck with a primary vent opening over a
ventilation opening cut through the deck. The secondary vent is
constructed to look like the surrounding field tiles and is
installed over the primary vent. The secondary vent has a skeleton
with one or more vent openings and a cap covering each opening
creating a ventilating access. The one or more vent openings in the
secondary vent and the opening in the primary vent conduct air
between the attic or rafter space and the outside.
[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a roof
vent for mounting between field tiles on a pitched, tile roof, the
roof vent includes a primary vent for mounting on the roof in
ventilating communication with an opening there through, a roof
tile-shaped vent skeleton having an upslope edge and a parallel
downslope edge and a pitch axis perpendicular to the upslope and
the downslope edges, the vent skeleton is formed of a single
continuous piece of material and includes one or more vent
openings, the vent skeleton is mounted on the roof above the
primary vent with the pitch axis of the vent skeleton parallel to
the roof pitch with the vent openings in ventilating communication
with the roof opening, and a vent cap attached to the vent skeleton
adjacent each of the one or more vent openings creating a
ventilating access between the vent cap and the skeleton.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a roof
vent wherein the upslope and downslope edges precisely fit against
adjacent upslope and downslope field tiles respectively, and the
vent skeleton has a cap flange to precisely fit under and against
the cap of an adjacent field tile, and the vent skeleton also has a
pan flange to precisely fit against a pan of an adjacent field
tile.
[0010] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
vent skeleton having a plurality of ribs perpendicular to the pitch
axis.
[0011] These and other features and advantages of this invention
will become further apparent from the detailed description and
accompanying figures that follow. In the figures and description,
numerals indicate the various features of the invention, like
numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings
and the description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a secondary vent skeleton
and caps, according to the present invention, installed on a
portion of a roof.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of a secondary vent skeleton and caps
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the secondary vent skeleton and
caps of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the secondary vent
skeleton and caps of FIG. 2 taken along 4-4.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the secondary vent
skeleton and caps of FIG. 2 taken along 5-5.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the secondary vent
skeleton and caps of FIG. 2 taken along 6-6.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from below of the front cap
corner of a secondary vent skeleton and cap according to the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mounting location for a
primary vent showing the hole marked on the roof.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting location for a
primary vent showing the hole being cut in the roof.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting location for a
primary vent showing the primary vent being prepared for
installation.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an installed primary vent
showing the relationship to a secondary vent according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a section of pitched roof 11 near eave
60 is shown including a roof vent 10 according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Pitched roof 11 is generally
composed of a plurality of field tiles 21, surrounded by edge tiles
13, edge caps 15 and ridge caps (not shown). Roof vent 10 is in two
parts, primary vent 40 (shown in FIG. 11) and secondary vent 12.
Roof vent 10 may be formed from any suitable metal such as
aluminum, steel, or copper. In a currently preferred embodiment of
the present invention roof vent 10 is formed of 26 gauge galvanized
steel.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, secondary vent 12 includes one or
more caps 14 attached to skeleton 16. Secondary vent 12 serves as a
replacement for one or more field tiles 21 on pitched roof 11.
Different tile types and similar looking tiles from different
manufacturers have different physical dimensions and may require a
unique skeleton configuration for a precise fit between the tiles
and skeleton 16. Skeleton 16 may be made to fit the contours and
edge configuration of the field tiles 21 used. Skeleton 16 may be
formed in any conventional manner. In a currently preferred
embodiment of the present invention, skeleton 16 is stamped from a
single piece of material to fit precisely the field tiles 21 for
which it is intended to be used. Skeleton 16 includes one or more
pan areas 18 and a cap area 20 adjacent each pan area 18. Viewed
from above, pan areas 18 are concave and cap areas 20 are convex.
Pan areas 18 align with individual pan tiles or with corresponding
pan areas of field tiles such as pan areas 17 of FIG. 1. Cap areas
20 align with individual cap tiles or with corresponding cap areas
of field tiles 21 such as cap areas 19 of FIG. 1. Secondary vent 12
is mounted with the pitch axis parallel to the pitch of pitched
roof 11.
[0025] Cap flange 22 is configured to fit underneath the cap of an
adjacent field tile such as cap 23 as shown in FIG. 1. Cap flange
22 may include one or more creases such as crease 30 to obtain a
precise fit to an adjacent field tile. Cap flange 22 may also have
one or more bevels such as bevel 32 to minimize interference with
an adjacent field tile. Pan flange 24 is configured to mate with
the pan of an adjacent field tile such as pan 25 as shown in FIG.
1. Pan flange 24 may include one or more creases such as crease 28
to obtain a precise fit to an adjacent field tile. A plurality of
ribs 26, 26A and 26B are stamped into skeleton 16 for increased
rigidity. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present
invention ribs 26, 26A and 26B are parallel to upslope edge 42. A
hole 34 is included in each pan area 18 to accept a conventional
fastener, such as a nail or a screw, to secure secondary vent 12 to
a roof such as pitched roof 11.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, the underside of skeleton 16 is
shown in more detail. Skeleton 16 includes a vent opening 36 in
each cap area 20. When installed above primary vent 40 as shown in
FIG. 11, vent openings 36 are in ventilating communication with
vent opening 46. Each vent opening 36 is located between ribs 26A
and 26B. A turtle 38 is attached to each pan area 18 adjacent edge
40. Turtle 38 is a spacer that compensates for the difference in
thickness between field tiles 21 and skeleton 16. Turtle 38 may be
formed and attached in any conventional manner to raise skeleton 16
above the roof battens such as batten 70 (in FIG. 11). Thickness
compensating fingers 43 are formed along the downslope edge 45 of
cap area 20. Thickness compensating fingers 43 compensate for the
difference in thickness between field tiles 21 and skeleton 16 to
provide a seal against the top a downslope field tile. Wind clips
44 are attached to skeleton 16 to secure secondary vent 12 to lower
course tiles 45 shown in FIG. 11.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS 4 and 5, ribs 26, 26A, 26B, 50 and
turtle 38 are seen in profile. Ribs 26 are shown concave up however
other configurations may be suitable. Rib 26B is shown convex up
however other configurations may be suitable. Rib 26 A must be
oriented concave up to minimize interference with caps 14 at
shoulder 48. Ribs 50 are shown concave down however other
configurations may be suitable. Legs 52 are attached to skeleton 16
and to caps 14 to support caps 14 and maintain ventilating access
54 between skeleton 16 and caps 14. Legs 52 may be attached in any
conventional manner.
[0028] Caps 14 shield vent openings 36 from the weather and are
attached to cap area 20 by any conventional means. In a currently
preferred embodiment of the present invention a cap 14 is spot
welded at shoulder 48 and legs 52. Caps 14 include side hems 27, a
front hem 29, and ribs 50. In a currently preferred embodiment of
the present invention, ribs 50 extend from one side hem 27 to the
other parallel to front hem 29. Side hems 27 and front hem 29 are
included to improve the weather shielding efficiency of cap 14
without sacrificing ventilating efficiency. Ribs 50 and are stamped
into caps 14 for rigidity. Front and side hems 29 and 27 may be
made in any conventional manner such as cutting and bending. In a
currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, front and
side hems 29 and 27 are formed by stamping to increase the rigidity
of caps 14, and caps 14 are made in one standard size. A standard
size cap 14 may be fitted to many different skeletons thus
minimizing manufacturing and inventory complexity.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, the uniform relationship between
skeleton 16 and caps 14 is shown. Vent 10 serves dual purposes,
ventilating attic 64 and protecting attic 64 from weather and
pests. Vent opening 36, vent opening 46 and attic opening 58
cooperate to conduct attic air 62 from attic 64. Caps 14 are
attached to skeleton 16 as shields over vent opening 36 to prevent
weather and pests from falling directly into attic 64. Caps 14 also
prevent direct solar irradiation of attic 64. Vent openings 36 are
covered by screen 37 to prevent entry into space 66 by pests larger
than the screen openings. Baffles 55 shield vent openings 36 from
wind driven moisture and particles, and extend along edges R and L.
Baffles 55 are H high and they are folded up along angle A between
0.degree. and 90.degree. from vent opening 36. In a currently
preferred embodiment of the present invention, H is 0.25" and angle
A is 50.degree.. Cap 14 includes side hems 27, and a front hem 29
(shown in FIG. 7) to further shield vent opening 36 from entry of
foreign matter. Side hems 27, and front hem 29 extend from cap 14
to below vent opening 36.
[0030] Attic air 62 flowing through a passive vent such as vent 10
follows the same path whether from outside 65 into attic 64, or
from within the attic 64 to outside 65, only the direction of flow
changes. For the sake of simplicity, attic air 62 flow from attic
64 to outside 65 will now be described with the understanding that
the present invention functions equally well conducting air in both
directions. Air travelling through vent 10 must undergo a change of
direction that helps to prevent foreign matter from entering attic
64. As installed, vent opening 46 of primary vent 40 provides a
convection driven ventilating channel through roof deck 56. Primary
vent 40 conducts air up from within attic 64 through attic opening
58 and vent opening 46 to space 66. Convection continues to drive
attic air 62 up through vent opening 36 into ventilating access 54.
Attic air 62 in ventilating access 54 is then conducted up over
baffles 55. Once above baffles 55 the shape of vent cap 14 and hems
27 and 29 cause attic air 62 to change direction and travel down
beyond side hems 27 or front hem 29 to outside 65.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 7, thickness compensating fingers 43
and a wind clip 44 are shown in more detail. Thickness compensating
fingers 43 may be formed by any conventional means, in a currently
preferred embodiment of the present invention, thickness
compensating fingers 43 are cut into downslope edge 45 of cap area
20 and folded. Due to the thickness disparity between skeleton 16
and adjacent field tiles 21, thickness compensating fingers 43 are
needed to provide a pest seal against the top of the down slope
field tile 21 when pan flange 24 is fitted to the pan of an
adjacent field tile such as pan 25 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] In FIGS. 8-11 installation steps for roof vent 10 are
illustrated. Referring now to FIG. 8, location 57 on roof deck 56
is selected for installation of roof vent 10. Location 57 is marked
to delineate where attic opening 58 will be cut. As shown in FIG.
9, saw 59 is used to cut attic opening 58 through roof deck 56. In
FIG. 10, sealant 61 is applied to bottom side 41 of primary vent
40. Primary vent 40 is installed with bottom side 41 in contact
with roof deck 56 and vent opening 46 in ventilating communication
with attic opening 58. As shown in FIG. 11, secondary vent 12 is
then installed above primary vent 40 with vent openings 36 in
ventilation communication with vent opening 46. Fasteners (not
shown) are attached through holes 34 into batten 70 to secure
secondary vent 12.
[0033] For effective attic ventilation, roof vents 10 should be
used in pairs. A pair of roof vents 10 are located on a roof
parallel to the rafters with a first roof vent 10 near the roof
peak (not shown) and a second roof vent 10 near eave 60. This
configuration promotes passive air convection through the attic or
rafter space as warm air rises through the first roof vent 10
cooler air is drawn into the attic or rafter space through second
roof vent 10.
[0034] Having now described the invention in accordance with the
requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will
understand how to make changes and modifications in the present
invention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Such
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *