U.S. patent application number 12/074872 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for precipitation resistant ridge vent.
This patent application is currently assigned to Liberty Diversified Industries. Invention is credited to Richard J. Morris, Scott Charles Van Wey.
Application Number | 20080182507 12/074872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24611458 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080182507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morris; Richard J. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
Precipitation resistant ridge vent
Abstract
A precipitation resistant ventilator for a structure enclosing
an interior space. The ventilator encloses a space that is in
communication with the structure interior space. A thin sheet of
air permeable water resistant material is disposed within the
ventilator interior. The thin sheet of air permeable water
resistant material forms a barrier that excludes the entry of
precipitation and other foreign matter into the roof structure
while still allowing air exchange.
Inventors: |
Morris; Richard J.; (Prior
Lake, MN) ; Wey; Scott Charles Van; (Crystal,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.
4800 IDS Center, 80 South 8th Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Assignee: |
Liberty Diversified
Industries
|
Family ID: |
24611458 |
Appl. No.: |
12/074872 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10826651 |
Apr 16, 2004 |
|
|
|
12074872 |
|
|
|
|
10636178 |
Aug 7, 2003 |
6913530 |
|
|
10826651 |
|
|
|
|
10209851 |
Jul 31, 2002 |
6623354 |
|
|
10636178 |
|
|
|
|
09651071 |
Aug 30, 2000 |
6450882 |
|
|
10209851 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/365 ; 29/428;
29/897.3; 52/199; 52/741.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49623 20150115;
E04D 13/176 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/365 ; 52/199;
29/428; 29/897.3; 52/741.1 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/17 20060101
E04D013/17; F24F 7/02 20060101 F24F007/02; E04D 13/00 20060101
E04D013/00 |
Claims
1. A vent for conveying air between a structure interior and the
environment, comprising: a top panel having an interior surface and
a multiplicity of discrete top panel air passages providing for
fluid communication between the structure interior and the
environment; at least one vent part with a bottom surface and in a
contacting relation with the interior surface of the top panel, the
at least one vent part defining a plurality of discrete vent part
air passages providing for fluid communication between the
structure interior and the environment; and a filter material
secured to the bottom surface of the at least one vent part and to
the top panel.
2. The vent of claim 1, in which the top panel comprises a
weatherproof three-ply material.
3. The vent of claim 2, in which the three-ply material comprises a
pair of outer plies and a series of cross walls disposed between
the outer plies.
4. The vent of claim 2, in which the three-ply material comprises a
pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed between the
outer plies, the outer plies and the intermediate ply defining the
plurality of top panel air passages.
5. The vent of claim 4, in which the intermediate ply is generally
convoluted or fluted.
6. The vent of claim 2, in which the at least one vent part
comprises at least one layer, the at least one layer comprising the
three-ply material.
7. The vent of claim 6, in which the three-ply material comprises a
pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed between the
outer plies, the outer plies and the intermediate ply defining the
plurality of vent part air passages.
8. The vent of claim 6, in which the three-ply material comprises a
pair of outer plies and a series of cross walls disposed between
the outer plies.
9. The vent of claim 1, in which a plurality of spaced apart vent
parts are present.
10. The vent of claim 9, in which at least one of the plurality of
vent parts comprises a plurality of layers, each of the plurality
of layers constructed from a weatherproof three-ply material.
11. The vent of claim 1, in which the top panel is characterized by
a longitudinal axis and in which the multiplicity of top panel air
passages and the multiplicity of vent part air passages extend
generally transversely or generally perpendicularly to the top
panel longitudinal axis.
12. The vent of claim 11, in which the top panel comprises a route
defined therein, the route generally parallel to the longitudinal
axis.
13. A vent, comprising: a top panel having a multiplicity of
discrete top panel air passages; a vent part contacting the top
panel and having a bottom surface, an interior surface, and an
exterior surface and formed from a three-ply material with a pair
of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed between the outer
plies to define a multiplicity of discrete vent part air passages,
each of the vent part air passages extending between the interior
surface and the exterior surface; and an air permeable filter
attached to the vent and positioned to filter air being conveyed
through the top panel air passages or the vent air part air
passages.
14. A device for venting a structure, comprising: a top panel
having an interior surface and comprising a multiplicity of
discrete top panel air passages; a plurality of vent parts, at
least one of the vent parts contacting the top panel interior
surface, each of the plurality of vent parts having a bottom
surface, an interior edge and an exterior edge and comprising at
least one layer of a three-ply material, the three-ply material
having a pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed
between the outer plies so as to define a multiplicity of discrete
vent part air passages, each of the multiplicity of vent part air
passages exposed at one of the interior edges and one of the
exterior edges; and a filtering material extending between the top
panel and the bottom surface of one of the vent parts.
15. A method of venting a structure with an interior and with a
vent placed over an opening in the structure, the vent comprising a
top panel, at least one vent part, and an air permeable filter
material, the top panel having an interior surface and a
multiplicity of discrete top panel air passages, the at least one
vent part having a bottom surface and contacting the top panel
interior surface, the at least one vent part comprising a
weatherproof material defining a multiplicity of discrete vent part
air passages, the filter material secured one of the at least one
vent part and to the top panel; the method comprising allowing air
exchange between the structure interior and the environment via the
top panel air passages, the vent part air passages, and the filter
material.
16. A method of constructing a vent, comprising: contacting a vent
part to a top panel, each of the top panel and the vent part
comprising a weatherproof material defining a multiplicity of
discrete air passages; and securing an air permeable filter
material to the top panel and to the vent part.
17. The method of claim 16, in which the filter material is secured
to a bottom surface of the vent part.
18. The method of claim 16, in which the contacted top panel and
the contacted vent part comprises a weatherproof three ply-material
defining the multiplicity of air passages.
19. The method of claim 18, in which the three-ply material
comprises a pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed
between the outer plies so as to define the multiplicities of air
passages.
20. The method of claim 19, in which the intermediate ply is
generally convoluted or generally fluted.
21. The method of claim 18, in which the weatherproof material
comprises a pair of outer plies and a series of cross walls
disposed between the outer plies to define the multiplicities of
air passages.
22. The method of claim 16, in which the vent part comprises a
plurality of layers made from the weatherproof material.
23. The method of claim 16, in which a route is defined in the top
panel so as expose the air passages defined in the top panel.
24. The method of claim 16, in which a plurality of vent parts are
contacted to the top panel.
25. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing the vent
part to the top panel.
26. A method of installing a vent, comprising disposing the vent
over an opening in a roof of a structure, the vent comprising a top
panel, a vent part, and a filter material, the top panel having an
interior surface and a multiplicity of discrete top panel air
passages providing for fluid communication between the structure
interior and the environment, the vent part with a bottom surface
and in a contacting relation with the interior surface of the top
panel, the vent part comprising a material defining a plurality of
discrete vent part air passages providing for fluid communication
between the structure interior and the environment, the filter
material secured to the bottom surface of the vent part and to the
top panel.
27. The method of claim 26, in which the top panel comprises a
three-ply material.
28. The method of claim 27, in which the three-ply material
comprises a pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed
between the outer plies, the outer plies and the intermediate ply
defining the plurality of top panel air passages.
29. The method of claim 26, in which the top panel comprises a pair
of outer plies and a series of cross walls disposed between the
outer plies.
30. The method of claim 27, in which the intermediate ply is
generally convoluted or fluted.
31. The method of claim 27, in which the vent part comprises a
plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers comprising the
three-ply material.
32. The method of claim 31, in which the three-ply material
comprises a pair of outer plies and an intermediate ply disposed
between the outer plies to define the multiplicity of vent part air
passages.
33. The method of claim 26, in which a plurality of opposed spaced
apart vent parts are present.
34. The method of claim 33, in which one of the plurality of vent
parts comprises a plurality of layers.
35. The method of claim 26, in which the top panel is characterized
by a longitudinal axis and in which the multiplicity of top panel
air passages and the multiplicity of vent part air passages extend
generally transversely or generally perpendicularly to the top
panel longitudinal axis.
36. The method of claim 35, in which the top panel comprises a
route, the route generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
37. The method of claim 26, further comprising securing the vent to
the roof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/826,651 filed Apr. 16, 2004 which is, in
turn, a continuation of Ser. No. 10/636,178 filed Aug. 7, 2003, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,530, which is, in turn, a continuation of
application Ser. No. 10/209,851 filed Jul. 31, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,623,354 and application Ser. No. 09/651,071 filed Aug. 30,
2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,882.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to roof ventilators folded
from a blank of corrugated plastic sheet material having a top
panel and two vent panels. More particularly, it relates to a roof
vent of corrugated construction including an internal filtering
material to exclude precipitation, debris and vermin from entry
into the vented roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is a common practice in the construction of structures to
ventilate gable roofs by providing a vent along the roof ridge.
Ventilation apertures are formed in the construction process by
leaving or cutting an open slot along the ridge through the
sheathing material covering the roof. Heated air rises and escapes
at the ridge taking with it moisture that may have accumulated
within the roof. The flow of wind over the ridge of the roof
assists in the extraction of moisture and heated air by creating a
zone of relatively reduce pressure as it crosses the ridge. Soffit
vents enable the entry of fresh exterior air into the roof to
replace air that has left through the ridge vent. Soffit vents are
openings in the soffit material covering the undersides of the
overhanging eaves of the roof.
[0004] Ideally, a ventilated roof provides for an unrestricted
outflow of air through the ridge vent and inflow through the soffit
vents. However, without protection of the ventilating openings,
wind blown precipitation, debris and insects enter the roof and
encourage damage to the structure through mildew, rot and
infestation. A ventilated cap is therefore placed over the open
slot in the ridge and attached to the roof along each side.
[0005] Therefore, many types of vent caps have been developed in an
effort to provide free flow of air while excluding rain, snow and
insects. Louvers, baffles and screens have been standard features
of roof vents for decades.
[0006] Snow, in particular, is a great concern. It has a small
particle size and is lightweight. Wind can carry snow upward and
into roof vents readily. Snow particles may bypass louvers and
deflectors that prevent the entry of most rain. As much as two feet
of wind driven snow has been reported to have passed through roof
vents and accumulated inside roof structures.
[0007] A number of ridge vent caps employ filtering material to
restrict the entry of precipitation and foreign matter. Filtering
materials include porous foams and fibrous materials. Examples of
the use of porous foams include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,059 issued to
Sells, 5,673,521 issued to Coulton et al. and 4,876,950 issued to
Rudeen. Both closed cell foams and open cell foams have been
utilized. Open cell foams have the benefit of allowing greater
airflow but tend to absorb a substantial amount of water. Closed
cell foams absorb little water but restrict airflow to a greater
degree. Foam products, in general, tend to deteriorate with age and
exposure to the elements.
[0008] Fibrous materials enjoy wider use as roof vent filters.
Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,902,432 issued to Coulton et al.,
5,830,059 issued to Sells, 5,561,953, 5,425,672, 5,352,154,
5,167,579 all issued to Rotter. These patents and others disclose
the use of mats of randomly aligned synthetic fibers to exclude
vermin and the elements from roof vents. The Rotter patents
disclose roof vents made entirely from mats of randomly aligned
synthetic fibers. Fiber mats may suffer from compression, for
example, under a snow load, and add expense and complexity to the
construction of roof vents.
[0009] Another approach to preventing the entry of precipitation
and foreign matter into vents is to employ check valves structured
to close at a predetermined wind speed so as to stop the inflow of
air and precipitation. Check valves have moving parts and are prone
to the possibility of wear and blockage and when they operate
ventilation is restricted. They also complicate the manufacturing
process. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,805 to Sells discloses a check valve
ridge vent.
[0010] In recent years the use of corrugated plastic sheet
materials to manufacture roof vents has presented to the
marketplace a variety of inexpensive, strong, durable ridge vents
which may be applied in sections or as a continuous roll. Ridge
vents of this type are typically applied along the peak of a roof
and covered by a row of shingles. They are thus referred to as
"shingle over roof vents." Some have sufficient structural
integrity such that they can be fastened to the roof with a
pneumatic nail gun without crushing the vent.
[0011] Examples of corrugated plastic ridge vents include U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,651,734 issued to Morris, 5,934,995 to Morris, Kasner and
Stoll and 5,947,817 to Morris, Gosz and Stoll which are
incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. [0012] Wind
deflectors are sometimes installed along with the vent in order to
restrict the entry of rain and snow into the vent. The installation
of wind deflectors requires an additional step in the installation
process with an attendant increase in time and expense.
[0013] The applicant is aware of a single example of a corrugated
ridge vent employing a filtering material to exclude precipitation
and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,834 issued to Sells discloses the
use of a flexible, air permeable, moisture repelling, woven or
nonwoven fabric covering the outer side of the vent passages to
resist the penetration of moisture into the vent passages. The
fabric filter is held in place by a perforated metal flashing
attached either to the roof or to the vent.
[0014] Considerable complexity is added to the manufacturing
process in order to incorporate the flashing into the vent. The
presence of a rigid or semi rigid flashing may also prevent or
complicate the rolling of the vent for transport and reduce ease of
application. Additionally, the filtering fabric is exposed to the
elements. Sun and wind may accelerate its deterioration.
[0015] It would be desirable to produce a ridge vent of folded
corrugated plastic construction that effectively excludes wind
blown precipitation and other foreign matter. The process of
manufacturing the ridge vent should be as simple as possible. It
would be preferable for such a ridge vent to require no flashing to
support the filtering material. The ridge vent would ideally be
possible to produce either in a continuous roll or in discrete
sections. It would be preferable that filtering material be
protected from exposure to the elements to maximize its life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention largely solves the above problems by
providing a shingle over ridge vent that effectively excludes the
entry of precipitation and foreign matter into the roof space. The
ridge vent is sturdy, easily manufactured and readily installed. In
addition, the filtering material that excludes precipitation is
protected from factors that speed its deterioration.
[0017] The ridge vent is constructed of corrugated weather
resistant material having a convoluted intermediate ply. Airflow
passages in the convoluted layer are linearly oriented generally
perpendicular to the long axis of the ridge vent.
[0018] The material is cut and scored so that it may be folded to
have a single top panel extending its entire length. At either side
of and below the top panel a plurality of folds create a plurality
of stacked layers of the corrugated material with a plurality of
airflow passages therethrough. A routed groove may extend the
length of the bottom side of the top panel of the ridge vent to
facilitate bending the ridge vent to conform to different roof
pitches and to provide an additional exit path for air flowing out
of the ridge vent.
[0019] A sheet of air permeable, water resistant, woven or nonwoven
fabric or other membrane is applied to the bottom side of the vent.
The filtering fabric is bonded to the corrugated material in the
vicinity of the peak of the vent and on the bottom sides of the
stacked, corrugated vent material. When the ridge vent is applied
to the roof ridge the filtering fabric forms a tent like structure
such that any accumulated rainwater drains out through the
bottommost layer of the stacked side vent portions of the ridge
vent.
[0020] The enclosure of the filtering fabric inside the ridge vent
protects the fabric from exposure to sunlight and other factors
that encourage deterioration.
[0021] The ridge vent may be produced in lengthy continuous rolls
or discrete sections for installation. Discrete sections of ridge
vent may be stacked flat or folded then stacked for shipping and
handling. Multiple sections may be butted together end to end to
cover a lengthy ridge application.
[0022] The vent material is unrolled or unfolded and disposed along
the roof ridge so as to straddle the precut slot in the roof
sheathing. The ridge vent may then be secured to the roof ridge
with fasteners such as nails. It may be caulked as necessary. An
individual skilled in the art will appreciate that if a roof is
substantially irregular such as a corrugated metal roof or a tiled
roof that a resilient conforming material may be placed beneath the
ridge vent to provide a tight seal between the ridge vent and the
roof. An end plug of resilient foam or other appropriate material
may be inserted and secured in the end of the roof vent to close
off the opening there. The ridge vent then may be covered with
shingles nailed directly through the ridge vent into the roof
sheathing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevated perspective view of a ridge
vent in accordance with the present invention being installed on a
roof;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a three ply weatherproof
material that may be used in the construction of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of two layers of a three ply
weatherproof material that may be used in the construction of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of two layers of an alternate
three ply weatherproof material that may be used in the
construction of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an end plan view of the ridge vent of FIG. 1
depicting a folding scheme for the hinge panels forming the lateral
vents of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention as stored and shipped in a flat configuration;
[0029] FIG. 6a is an end plan view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention as stored and shipped in a flat
configuration;
[0030] FIG. 6b is an end plan view of another alternate embodiment
of the present invention as stored and shipped in a flat
configuration;
[0031] FIG. 7 is an end sectional view an embodiment of the ridge
vent installed on a roof ridge;
[0032] FIG. 7a is an end sectional view an alternate embodiment of
the ridge vent installed on a roof ridge; and
[0033] FIG. 8 is an end sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the present invention as installed on a shed roof abutting a
vertical exterior wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 depicts the precipitation resistant ridge cap roof
vent 10 being installed on a roof 12. The roof depicted is a rafter
roof, though the ridge vent 10 may be installed on many other types
of roofs to provide ventilation. The roof 12 depicted includes
rafters 14 secured to a ridge board 16. Rafters 14 support
sheathing 18. Sheathing 18 may be of plywood, oriented strand
board, planks or other suitable material secured to rafters 14.
Generally sheathing 18 is overlaid with tarred felt paper 20 which
is in turn overlaid with shingles 22, though other roofing
materials may be employed. A cutout slot 24 is provided along the
ridge 26. Slot 24 may terminate some distance from the end 28 of
the ridge 26.
[0035] The ridge vent 10, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7,
broadly includes a top panel 30, a plurality of vent panels 32 and
filtering fabric 34. Top panel 30 presents a long axis 36 aligned
generally parallel with the ridge 26 of the roof 12 when ridge vent
10 is installed. Top panel 30 and vent panels 32 are constructed of
a weatherproof three ply material 38 including a generally planar
top ply 40, a generally planar bottom ply 42 and an intermediate
ply 44. The intermediate ply 44 defines a multiplicity of airflow
passages 46 extending generally transversely to long axis 36 and
entirely across top panel 30 and vent panels 32. Plug 47 may be
inserted in the end of the ridge vent 10.
[0036] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 depict several possible configurations of
the three ply material 38. FIG. 2 depicts a three ply material 38
whose intermediate ply is comprised of a series of cross walls 39
connecting the top ply 40 to bottom ply 42 and defining a plurality
of airflow passages 46 therebetween. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an
intermediate ply 44 of one or several convoluted or fluted layers
48 defining a plurality of airflow passages 46. FIGS. 3 and 4 also
show how multiple layers of three ply material 38 may be stacked to
provide many generally parallel airflow passages 46
therethrough.
[0037] Top panel 30 also presents an exterior surface 50 and an
interior surface 52. Interior surface 52 may include a routed
groove 54 usually extending generally parallel to long axis 36.
Routed groove 54 extends through bottom ply 42 and into
intermediate ply 44 defining inner openings 56 of airflow passages
46. The outer edges 58 of top panel 30 define the outer openings 60
of airflow passages 46.
[0038] Vent panels 32 are disposed under the outer edges 58 of top
panel 30 in a stacked fashion. They contain a multiplicity of
airflow passages 46 oriented generally transverse to long axis 36.
Vent panels 32 may be formed by scoring and folding a sheet of
three ply material 38 as depicted in FIG. 5. Vent panels 32 may
then be secured to top panel 30 by the use of adhesives or
fasteners 62 such as staples.
[0039] Alternately, vent panels 32 may by cut separately and
stacked beneath the outer edges 58 of top panel 30 and secured
together and to top panel 30 with fasteners 62 or adhesive. Thus
airflow passages 46 are formed extending from exterior edges 64 to
interior edges 66 of vent panels 32.
[0040] Filtering fabric 34 is secured along the interior surface 52
of top panel 30, preferably in the region of the routed groove 54,
and on the bottom side 68 of the lowermost vent panel 32 extending
the length of the ridge vent 10. Adhesives, fasteners, heat fusing
or any other suitable technique may secure filtering fabric 34 to
the ridge vent 10.
[0041] Filtering fabric 34 may be of any thin, air permeable, water
resistant, sheet material. Woven or nonwoven fabrics may be
employed as well as air permeable water resistant membranes that
are not of fabric. Preferably, filtering fabric 34 allows passage
of about 75 percent of the air that would flow were it not present.
The filtering fabric 34 may be a nonwoven spunbonded material of
randomly arranged synthetic polymer fibers.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 6a and 7a, in an alternate embodiment of
ridge vent 10 filtering fabric 34 may be applied directly over
inner openings 56 of airflow passages 46. Filtering fabric 34 may
cover only interior edges 64 of vent panels 32.
[0043] Alternately, as depicted in FIG. 6b filtering fabric 34 may
extend from bottom side 68 of vent panels 32, up over inner
openings 56, across interior surface 52 of top panel 30, down over
inner openings 56 on the opposite side and onto bottom side 68 on
the opposite side. The filtering fabric 34 may be secured to
interior edges 64, bottom side 68 of vent panels 32 and interior
surface 52 of top panel 30 as required.
[0044] FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the ridge vent 10
adapted for use where it is desire to ventilate a shed style roof
70 in contact with an exterior wall 72. Shed roof vent 74 generally
includes a generally planar top panel 76, vent panels 32 and
filtering fabric 34. Planar top panel 76 includes flange panel 78
extending along its length. Vent panels 32 are disposed beneath top
panel 76 and are stacked and secured in a similar fashion to ridge
vent 10. Filtering fabric 34 is attached along the bottom side 68
of the lowermost vent panel 32 and to planar top panel 76 on or
near flange panel 78. Filtering fabric 34 may also be attached to
cover the interior edges 66 of vent panels 32 alone. Fasteners,
adhesives, heat fusing or other suitable techniques may secure
filtering fabric 34 to planar top panel 76 and vent panel 32.
Flashing 80 may overlie the shed roof vent 74.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, in operation, ridge vent 10 is applied
to the ridge 26 of a roof 12 over a previously made cutout 24
extending the length of the ridge 26 except for a small portion
left uncut at each end of the roof 12. The cutout 24 may be larger
than a cutout that would be used with a non-filtering ridge vent in
order to compensate for the restriction of airflow caused by the
filtering fabric 34. The ridge vent 10 is unrolled or unfolded if
it is received packaged in either of these forms. The roof vent 10
is disposed so that the routed groove 54 is generally centered over
the cutout 24 and the vent panels 32 are generally parallel to the
shingles 22 or other roof surface. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that a resilient or conforming piece of material
may be placed between the ridge vent 10 and the roof 12 to fill in
any gaps that may be present due to any substantial irregularities
in the roof structure. This may be helpful in the case of a
corrugated metal or tiled roof.
[0046] Once in place, the ridge vent 12 may be secured to the roof
12 by fasteners such as nails or by adhesives. Nails may be applied
directly through top panel 30 where it overlies vent panels 32 and
into roof sheathing 18. A ridgeline (not shown) of shingles 22 may
be applied directly over ridge vent 10.
[0047] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, and 7, when the ridge vent is
installed the filtering fabric 34 forms a tent like structure. Wind
blown precipitation such as rain or snow may be carried into the
interior of the ridge vent 10 through airflow passages 46 but it is
stopped from traveling further by the water resistant filtering
fabric 34 while air may still pass. Liquid rain or melted snow that
accumulates on top of the filtering fabric 34 drains from the ridge
vent 10 through the lowermost layer of airflow passages 46 in vent
panels 32 onto the roof 12 where it may run off shingles 22.
[0048] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6a and 6b, wind blown
precipitation may be carried into airflow passages 46 but is
prevented from proceeding further by filtering fabric 34 and may
drain back out.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, shed roof vent 74 is applied at the top
of a shed style roof 74 where it abuts an exterior wall 72. Flange
panel 78 may be bent downwardly and secured to exterior wall 72 by
fasteners or adhesive. Alternately, the flange panel 78 may be bent
upwardly and secured to the wall 72. Flashing 80 may be applied on
top of the shed roof vent 74. Vent panels 32 may be nailed or
otherwise secured to sheathing 18 through shingles 22. Any wind
blown precipitation that enters the shed roof vent 74 is prevented
from entering the space beneath the roof by filtering fabric 34.
Rain or melted snow that accumulates on top of filtering fabric 34
drains from the shed roof vent 74 through the airflow passages 46
in the bottommost vent panel 32.
[0050] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof;
therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made
to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to
indicate the scope of the invention.
* * * * *