U.S. patent application number 11/323497 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for hinged roof vent for attic.
Invention is credited to Clarke II Berdan, John R. Mumaw.
Application Number | 20070151176 11/323497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38222885 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mumaw; John R. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Hinged roof vent for attic
Abstract
A hinged roof vent panel is provided which includes a
combination of hinged ridges that allow the panel to be cut and
folded to form an insulation block which inhibits the flow of
loosefill insulation which may block soffit vents and which
provides suitable ventilation to inhibit condensation during cold
periods and to allow acceptable airflow during warm periods. The
vent panel is typically thermoformed from a thin sheet of extruded
polystyrene foam into the shape described and claimed. The panel is
relatively planar and stackable so that a large number of panels
may be packaged together for shipping.
Inventors: |
Mumaw; John R.; (Newark,
OH) ; Berdan; Clarke II; (Granville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OWENS CORNING
2790 COLUMBUS ROAD
GRANVILLE
OH
43023
US
|
Family ID: |
38222885 |
Appl. No.: |
11/323497 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/178 20130101;
F24F 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/198 |
International
Class: |
E04B 7/00 20060101
E04B007/00 |
Claims
1. A hinged roof vent panel, comprising: an elongated panel
including: lateral flanges, each of said lateral flanges including
a hinge; lateral walls formed in said elongated panel extending
from said lateral flanges; and an insulation blocking wall spaced
from said lateral flanges by said lateral walls and forming a
ventilation trough; wherein said lateral walls and said insulation
blocking wall may be cut to form a hinged panel.
2. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: at
least one generally trapezoidal ridge extending the length of said
panel, said trapezoidal ridge having a rectilinear base offset from
said insulation blocking wall and said trapezoidal ridge being open
from one end of the elongated panel to the other.
3. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: at
least one gusset formed along said lateral walls.
4. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: at
least one saddle formed along said insulation blocking wall.
5. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of gussets formed along said lateral walls; and a
plurality of saddles formed along said insulation blocking
wall.
6. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of gussets formed along said lateral walls; and a
plurality of saddles formed along said insulation blocking wall,
said saddles being adjacent said gussets.
7. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of insulation blocking walls spaced from said flanges by
said lateral walls and forming a ventilation trough; a base between
said insulation blocking walls; and a perforation in said base to
allow the elongate panel to be divided without the use of a cutting
tool.
8. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, further comprising: at
least one generally trapezoidal ridge extending substantially the
length of said panel, said trapezoidal ridge having at least one
land formed therein, said land being level with said insulation
blocking wall.
9. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 8, further comprising: a
rectilinear base in said trapezoidal ridge offset from said
insulation blocking wall and open from one end of the vent panel to
the other.
10. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 1, wherein said elongated
panel is formed of an extruded foam polystyrene sheet.
11. A hinged roof vent panel, comprising: an elongated panel
including: lateral flanges, each of said lateral flanges including
a hinge; lateral walls formed in said elongate panel extending from
said lateral flanges; and a plurality of insulation blocking walls
spaced from said flanges by said lateral walls and forming a
ventilation trough; wherein said lateral walls and said insulation
blocking walls are cut to form a blocking portion and a vent
portion with a second hinge therebetween.
12. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 11, further comprising: at
least one gusset formed along said lateral walls.
13. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 11, further comprising: at
least one saddle formed along said insulation blocking walls.
14. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 11, further comprising: a
plurality of gussets formed along said lateral walls; and a
plurality of saddles formed along said insulation blocking wall,
said saddles being adjacent said gussets.
15. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 11, further comprising: a
base between said insulation blocking walls; and a perforation in
said base to allow the elongate panel to be divided without the use
of a cutting tool.
16. A hinged roof vent panel, comprising: an elongated panel
including: lateral flanges, each of said lateral flanges including
a hinge; lateral walls formed in said panel extending from said
lateral flanges; and a plurality of insulation blocking walls
spaced from said flanges by said lateral walls, each forming a
ventilation trough; at least one generally trapezoidal ridge
extending substantially the length of said elongate panel
positioned in each of said insulation blocking walls, each of said
trapezoidal ridges having at least one land formed therein, said
land being level with said insulation blocking wall. wherein said
lateral walls and each of said insulation blocking walls are cut to
form a blocking portion, and a vent portion with a hinge
therebetween.
17. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 16, further comprising: at
least one gusset formed along said lateral walls.
18. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 16, further comprising: at
least one saddle formed along said insulation blocking walls.
19. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 16, further comprising: a
plurality of gussets formed along said lateral walls; and a
plurality of saddles formed along said insulation blocking walls,
said saddles being adjacent said gussets.
20. The hinged roof vent panel of claim 16, further comprising: a
base between said insulation blocking walls; and a perforation in
said base to allow the elongate panel to be divided without the use
of a cutting tool.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a panel for use as a
roof vent, and more particularly, to a hinged vent panel for use on
a sloping roof to allow for attic ventilation and to inhibit the
flow of insulation out of an attic area into the soffit of a
structure to block a soffit attic vent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Homes and commercial buildings with sloped or pitched roofs
typically include an open, unheated attic. The area of the attic is
typically insulated by a layer of fibrous insulation, for example,
loosefill fiberglass, batts or rolls of fiberglass insulation, or
other insulation materials such as cellulose, mineral wool.
Building codes often require that an unheated attic be vented to
release heat and moisture that may otherwise build up. Often the
vents are positioned in the soffit at the eaves of the house to
allow airflow from the soffit vents to the peak vents. Due to the
position of the soffit vents, heat loss at the eaves may occur and
with freezing and thawing temperatures, ice dams may form at the
eaves, thereby causing roof leaks usually in the coldest of
weather. In the summer, improper ventilation of the attic causes
heat to buildup within the attic, which will increase the
temperature within the structure. An unvented attic may also permit
humidity to condense on the underside of the roof during winter. In
addition, a roof vent also may create an uninsulated space between
the insulation and the underside of the roof to prevent unwanted
condensation.
[0003] To achieve such venting, a wide variety of sheet-like
products have been used which are fastened to the underside of the
roof between the rafters. Some of these products include flanges
that provide ease of fastening and a spaced or offset wall forming
open troughs extending end-to-end. It has been found that such
products when made from an extruded foam polystyrene sheet have
excellent break resistance and resist moisture so they will not rot
or deteriorate. Generally, extruded polystyrene has greater
strength than simply expanded polystyrene such as bead board or
sheet.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,612 discloses a baffle vent that is
positioned against the underside of a roof to allow air-flow from
the soffit vent over the interior surface of the roof. The baffle
vent is described as an elongated self-supporting unitary structure
of sheet-like material having a generally channel-shaped
cross-section defining longitudinal sidewalls joined by a bottom
wall. The baffle vent includes flanges that project from the top
edges of the sidewalls to facilitate the attachment of the baffle
vent to the underside of the roof. A triangular cross-sectional
longitudinal reinforcing rib in the bottom wall runs along the
length of the baffle vent to resist a collapse of the baffle vent
if subjected to external forces such as from roof insulation. The
narrow apex of the triangular cross-sectional longitudinal
reinforcing rib prevents the use of staples or other fastener
within the channel.
[0005] It has also been found that a hinged roof vent will allow
venting of an open attic space to the soffit vent and serves as a
dam to inhibit loose fill insulation from blocking airflow from the
soffit vents to the hinged vent chute. U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,991
discloses a hinged vent chute that includes an elongated chute
segment and an insulation dam segment. The vent or air passage from
the soffit to the open attic space is provided by one or more
upwardly open channels extending from a lower end to an upper end
of the elongated chute segment. The air passes through the
channel(s) and over an interior surface of the roof from the soffit
region of the roof and up into the open attic space beneath the
roof. The hinged vent chute has a hinge or fold line which joins
the insulation dam segment to the elongated chute segment. The
hinge or fold line permits the insulation dam segment to be folded
or bent downward at the hinge or fold line relative to the
elongated chute segment and secured in place to form an insulation
dam which prevents loose fill insulation in an attic from flowing
down into a soffit region of a roof and blocking airflow. The
hinged roof vent of U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,991 includes at least two
hinges and cut-lines which must be manipulated by the installer.
The number of steps required to install the hinged roof vent
increases the cost of installation. In addition, the complexity of
the vent increases production costs such as the cost of
manufacturing the mold for forming the vent. Further, the shape of
the hinge also allows more air to flow through the vent than is
necessary and allows loosefill insulation to escape from the attic
and block the soffit vents.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a hinged roof
vent that allows a suitable amount of air to circulate through the
attic while providing venting. It is also useful to have a hinged
roof vent that provides structural integrity when compressed by the
installation of insulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A hinged roof vent panel for use at the eaves of a building
structure is disclosed. The hinged panel includes flanges that have
a hinge, walls raised from the lateral flanges and insulation
blocking walls raised from above the flanges by the walls to form
ventilation troughs. Each insulation blocking wall includes a hinge
and a cut marking line and the cut marking line separates the
insulation blocking wall into an insulation damn and a vent
portion. In another embodiment, gussets and/or saddles may be
formed along the lateral walls. In yet another embodiment, the roof
vent includes a number insulation blocking walls with a base
positioned between the insulation blocking walls. The base
preferably includes a perforation that allows the panel to be
divided without the use of a cutting tool. In yet another
embodiment, a trapezoidal ridge extends substantially the length of
the panel. The trapezoidal ridge includes a land that is level with
the insulation blocking wall. Preferably, the base of the
trapezoidal ridge is sized to allow the use of an air-nailer or
stapler to secure the panel to the roof deck. Preferably, the
hinged roof vent panel is formed of an extruded foam polystyrene
sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a roof vent panel in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a roof vent panel in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a roof vent panel in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an isometric top view of a roof vent panel in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which
has been cut and folded and is ready for insertion into an
attic;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an isometric bottom view of a roof vent panel in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which
has been cut and folded and is ready for insertion into an
attic;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a roof structure, partially
cut away, incorporating a roof vent panel of an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A hinged roof vent panel is provided which includes a
combination of hinged ridges that allow the panel to be cut and
folded to form an insulation block. The insulation block inhibits
the flow of loosefill insulation which may block soffit vents and
which provides suitable ventilation to inhibit condensation during
cold periods and to allow acceptable airflow during warm periods.
The vent panel may be thermoformed from a thin sheet of extruded
polystyrene foam into the shape described and claimed herein. The
panel is relatively planar and stackable so that a large number of
panels may be packaged together for shipping.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a hinged roof vent panel 10 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is formed
with edge flanges 12 and sloping lateral walls 14 which extend
upwardly to offset insulation blocking segments 18 that are
positioned parallel to but raised from flanges 12 and bases 20 of
trapezoidal ridges 16 and 16'. Next to the offset insulation
blocking segments 18 is a central trapezoidal ridge shown generally
at 16, which extends from one end of panel 10 to the opposite end.
The base 20 at the center of the panel 10 may optionally include a
perforation 22 to allow the panel 10 to be divided into two parts
without the use of a cutting tool.
[0016] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the panel 10 includes a
series of cut-lines 24, 24' and fold-lines 26, 26' to allow the
panel 10 to be cut and folded into a hinged panel that includes an
insulation/air-block portion 28, a rafter vent portion 30 and a
flange portion 32 (as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). When installed
in an attic cavity (shown in FIG. 5), the vent 10 is placed between
rafters 80 and adjacent roof deck 82. The rafter vent portion 30 is
fixed to the roof deck 82 and the insulation/air-block portion 28
contacts a top plate 84 to inhibit the flow of insulation 92 that
may block a soffit vent (not shown) outside sheathing 94. The
flange portion 32 extends outwardly to inhibit the flow of air
and/or insulation 92. The panel 10 may be secured to the roof deck
82 with a single line of staples 94 through the base 20 of
trapezoidal ridges 16. A single line of staples 94 along a central
trapezoidal ridge 20 provides improved installation speed when
compared to double line of staples on the flanges of the panels of
the prior art.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the cut-lines 32, 32' may be positioned
on the insulation/air-block 28 side of the fold lines 26, 26' so
that flange portion 32 remains attached to the rafter vent portion
30. During construction, a panel 10 while flat is cut along
cut-lines 24, 24', and the insulation/air-block 28 is bent upwardly
to provide the desired angular shape for installation. FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4 show a hinged roof vent that has been bent to conform to the
angle of the roof and which has the flange portion extending from
the panel 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the
flange portion 32 extends inwardly to provide improved blockage of
blown-in insulation 92. As shown in FIG. 5 the flange portion 32
extends outwardly to provide improved wind screening.
[0018] Alternative structures in accordance with the present
invention are available. As shown in FIG. 2, the number of required
cuts may be reduced by providing a land 150 along the length of
trapezoidal ridges 116 at the position of the cut-line 124. As
illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the panel 110 includes
edge flanges 112 and sloping lateral walls 114 that extend upwardly
to offset insulation blocking segments 118 that are parallel to but
raised from flanges 112 and the bases 120 of trapezoidal ridges 116
and 116'. Next to the offset insulation blocking segments 118 is a
central trapezoidal ridge shown generally at 116' which extends
from substantially the length of the panel. At the end of each
trapezoidal ridge 116 is a trapezoidal ramped section 140. The base
120 at the center of the panel 110 may optionally include a
perforation 122 to allow the panel 110 to be divided into two parts
without the use of a cutting tool.
[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the panel 110 also
includes a series of cut-lines 124, 124' and fold-lines 126, 126'
to allow the panel 110 to be cut and folded into a hinged panel
that includes an insulation/air-block portion, rafter vent portion
and a flange portion. The panel 110 may optionally include gussets
142 along the length of the sloping lateral walls 124. Gussets 142
provide increased strength to inhibit crushing of the panel due to
the force of insulation 92. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
the installer may secure the panel 110 to the roof deck 82 with a
single line of staples 94 positioned in the base of the trapezoidal
ridge 116.
[0020] Yet another alternative structure in accordance with the
present invention is shown in FIG. 2A, in which the panel 210
includes edge flanges 212 and sloping lateral walls 214 that extend
upwardly to offset insulation blocking segments 218, parallel to
and raised from flanges 112 and the bases 120 of trapezoidal ridge
216'. The base 220 at the center of the panel 210 may optionally
include a perforation 222 to allow the panel to be divided into two
parts without the use of a cutting tool.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the panel 210 includes a
series of cut-lines 224, 224' and fold-lines 226, 226' to allow the
panel 210 to be cut and folded into a hinged panel that includes an
insulation/air-block portion, rafter vent portion and a flange
portion. The panel 210 may optionally include gussets 242 and
saddles 244 along the length of the sloping lateral walls 214.
Gussets 242 and saddles 244 provide increased strength to inhibit
crushing of the panel due to the force of insulation 92.
[0022] The invention of this application has been described above
both generically and with regard to specific embodiments. Although
the invention has been set forth in what is believed to be the
preferred embodiments, a wide variety of alternatives known to
those of skill in the art can be selected within the generic
disclosure. The invention is not otherwise limited, except for the
recitation of the claims set forth below.
* * * * *