U.S. patent application number 10/622585 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for foundation vent cover.
Invention is credited to Charron, Shawn.
Application Number | 20040072536 10/622585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32073207 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040072536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Charron, Shawn |
April 15, 2004 |
Foundation vent cover
Abstract
A foundation vent cover having generally rectangular body having
a flat outside surface, an opposing inside surface, a top edge, a
bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge. At least one leg is
normally disposed along the left and the right edges, and a foot is
disposed upon each leg. A plurality of apertures is defined between
the outside and inside surfaces of the body.
Inventors: |
Charron, Shawn;
(Clarksville, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
32073207 |
Appl. No.: |
10/622585 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60398731 |
Jul 29, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/082 20130101;
F24F 13/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/276 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A foundation vent cover, comprising: a generally rectangular
flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge
and a right edge; a first leg extending perpendicularly from said
left edge; a second leg extending perpendicularly from said right
edge; a first foot extending perpendicularly from said first leg; a
second foot extending perpendicularly from said second leg; and a
plurality of apertures formed through said outer surface and said
inner surface of said body.
2. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, wherein said
body is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch
masonry vent.
3. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, including at
least one aperture formed in each of said respective first foot and
second foot.
4. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, wherein said
outer surface is a decorative surface.
5. A cover for a vent, said vent cover being surrounded by the
walls of a building, said cover comprising: a generally rectangular
flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge
and a right edge; a first leg extending perpendicularly from said
left edge; a second leg extending perpendicularly from said right
edge; a first foot extending perpendicularly from said first leg,
said first foot being in abutment with a wall of the building; a
second foot extending perpendicularly from said second leg, said
second foot being in abutment with a wall of the building; a
plurality of apertures formed through said outer surface and said
inner surface of said body; and at least one aperture formed in
each of said first foot and said second foot.
6. The cover according to claim 5, wherein said body is sized and
dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch masonry vent.
7. A foundation vent cover, comprising: a generally rectangular
flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge
and a right edge; a first leg extending angularly from said inner
surface wherein said first leg is canted toward said right edge; a
second leg extending angularly from said inner surface wherein said
second leg is canted toward said right edge; a first foot formed on
said first leg and extending therefrom at an acute angle; a second
foot formed on said second leg and extending therefrom at an acute
angle; and a plurality of apertures formed through said outer
surface and said inner surface of said body.
8. The foundation vent cover according to claim 7, wherein said
body is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch
masonry vent.
9. The foundation vent cover according to claim 8, wherein said
outer surface is a decorative surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/398,731, filed Jul. 29, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to vent covers, and in
particular to a vent cover for covering a masonry foundation vent
in a building.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Vents installed in home foundations provide an exit path for
noxious gasses such as radon, which may accumulate over time, to
harmful levels. The majority of vents have a sliding portion which
allows the vent to be opened and closed. Many foundation vents,
especially those of older design, are considered to be
unsightly.
[0006] The related art shows the development of more visually
appealing vents and vent covers which function to seal a vent. The
art does not, however, show a device that is capable of being
retrofitted over existing vents in order to conceal, beautify and
protect the foundation vent while at the same time permitting the
vent to function normally.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,368, issued to Hempel, discloses an air
vent cover having a central panel, side walls, end walls, and a
peripheral mounting flange. The '368 invention differs from the
present invention in that it completely seals its associated vent.
The central panel also has no apertures nor a decorative
design.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,659, issued to Compton, discloses a vent
closure that is generally pyramidal in shape and is secured to a
vent with a curved shank. The '659 invention differs from the
present invention in that the present invention lacks a pyramidal
structure and has a plurality of apertures to allow for air
flow.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,035, issued to Jacks, discloses a
foundation vent cover having a flat surface and an attached flange.
The flat surface rests directly against the associated vent. The
'035 invention differs from the present invention in that the
present invention has several legs and feet which separate the flat
surface of the invention from the associated vent.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,628, issued to Sarazen, Jr. et al.,
discloses a shallow-profile foundation ventilator having a body
with at least one vent opening extending therethrough which is
covered by a screen. The '628 invention differs from the present
invention in that it cannot be retrofitted over an existing vent,
and it also lacks the legs and feet of the present invention.
[0011] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a foundation vent cover having a
generally rectangular body with a flat outside surface, a similarly
shaped opposing inside surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left
edge and a right edge. At least one leg is normally disposed upon
the left and the right edges, and a foot is normally disposed upon
each leg. A plurality of apertures is defined between the outside
and inside surfaces of the body.
[0013] The vent cover is ordinarily attached by its feet to the
masonry surrounding a foundation vent. The top surface of the body
is decorative and functions to hide the associated vent from view
while still permitting regular vent airflow.
[0014] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
cover a foundation vent.
[0015] It is another object of the invention to cover a foundation
vent in a decorative manner.
[0016] It is a further object of the invention to protect a vent
from damage.
[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes
described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing their intended purposes.
[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a foundation
vent cover according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vent cover as
it is installed over a vent.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the
present invention being inserted onto a vent.
[0022] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a
foundation vent cover 10, and has a generally flat and rectangular
body 12 with an outside surface 14, an inside surface 16, a top
edge 18, a bottom edge 20, a right side 22 and a left side 24. The
invention further has at least two legs 26, 28 disposed generally
normal to the body 12 along the right 22 and left 24 sides. At
least two feet 30, 32 are disposed generally normal to the legs 26,
28. An aperture 34 is defined in each foot 30, 32 and is used
preferably in conjunction with an appropriate fastener, such as a
masonry screw or nail 33, to attach the vent cover 10 to a
structure. The aperture 34 defined in the right foot 30 is not
shown in this view but is identical to the aperture 34 shown on the
left foot 32.
[0024] The outside surface 14 of the body 12 is ordinarily
decorative in design with the actual design not being critical to
the invention. Ordinarily the design would incorporate a plurality
of apertures 36 which allow for a normal flow of air to and from
the associated vent V. The legs 26, 28 hold the body 12 of the vent
cover 10 away from the vent V itself. This allows additional air to
flow into the vent V along the top 18 and bottom 20 edges of the
body 12.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates how a second embodiment of the vent cover
40 would be positioned over a vent V. Similar reference numbers
denote similar structures in different embodiments. The vent cover
40 is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8.times.16 inch
vent V and has two apertures 34 defined in each foot 30, 32. The
number of apertures 34 in each foot is not critical to the
invention. The body 12 of the vent cover 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a
different decorative design than the body 12 of the vent cover 10
of FIG. 1. In all other respects, the vent covers 40 and 10 are
identical.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the vent cover 50.
In this embodiment the vent cover 50 has legs 56, 58 and feet 60,
62 similar to those of the first two embodiments, except that the
legs 56 and 58 extend from the inside surface 16 of the body 12
rather than the side edges 22 and 24. The legs 56, 58 are not
normal to the body 12 but are canted outward, and the feet 60, 62
form an acute angle with the legs 56 and 58, giving a barbed
appearance when viewed from the top or bottom, as seen in FIG.
3.
[0027] The legs 56 and 58 and feet 60, 62 are positioned such that
they may be wedged into the opening defined in the foundation for a
vent V. The tension generated by the resilience of the legs 56 and
58 and the feet 60, 62 against the inner surface of the vent V
opening holds the vent cover 50 in place. In that way, there is no
need for fasteners such as masonry screws or nails to secure the
vent cover 50.
[0028] The present invention may be constructed of cast iron,
galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, copper or vinyl. One skilled
in the art may easily alter the invention to alter the size and
number of legs and feet. For example it is within the scope of the
invention to have four smaller legs and attached feet positioned
along the top and bottom of the left and right sides.
[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses
any and all embodiments within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *