U.S. patent application number 12/017291 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for apparatus for providing air flow in a building wall.
Invention is credited to James Chun Nam CHAN, Juergen KOESSLER, Boris SIKURA.
Application Number | 20090183453 12/017291 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40875330 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090183453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOESSLER; Juergen ; et
al. |
July 23, 2009 |
APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AIR FLOW IN A BUILDING WALL
Abstract
An inter-panel ventilation apparatus is installed in a building
wall between rows of siding, for providing air flow to and from an
interstitial space between exterior and interior building wall
layers. The inter-panel ventilation apparatus has a hood for
carrying away water to an exterior of the building wall, and upper
and lower apertured venting components respectively engaged with
adjacent upper and lower siding panels. A plurality of inter-panel
ventilation apparatus may be connected together with couplers to
form a ventilation trim extending along a length of the building
wall.
Inventors: |
KOESSLER; Juergen; (Surrey,
CA) ; CHAN; James Chun Nam; (Richmond, CA) ;
SIKURA; Boris; (New Westminster, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OYEN, WIGGS, GREEN & MUTALA LLP;480 - THE STATION
601 WEST CORDOVA STREET
VANCOUVER
BC
V6B 1G1
CA
|
Family ID: |
40875330 |
Appl. No.: |
12/017291 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.3 ;
52/536 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 17/04 20130101;
E04F 13/0864 20130101; E04F 13/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.3 ;
52/536 |
International
Class: |
E04F 17/04 20060101
E04F017/04; E04D 13/152 20060101 E04D013/152; E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08; E04B 1/70 20060101 E04B001/70 |
Claims
1. A ventilation apparatus for installation in a building wall, the
apparatus comprising: a base mountable to an interior wall layer; a
hood projecting outwardly and downwardly from the base to an
exterior of an exterior wall layer; an apertured upper venting
component located above the hood for providing ventilation between
the exterior of the exterior wall layer and an upper interstitial
space, the upper interstitial space extending above the ventilation
apparatus and located between the interior and exterior wall
layers; and an apertured lower venting component located below the
hood for providing ventilation between the exterior of the exterior
wall layer and a lower interstitial space, the lower interstitial
space extending below the ventilation apparatus and located between
the interior and exterior wall layers.
2. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the
apertured upper venting component projects outwardly from the base
and engages a lower portion of an upper siding panel of the
exterior wall layer.
3. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the
apertured lower venting component projects inwardly from an
interior surface of the hood and engages an upper portion of a
lower siding panel of the exterior wall layer.
4. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the
apertured lower venting component projects downwardly from an
undersurface of the hood and engages an upper portion of a lower
siding panel of the exterior wall layer.
5. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the upper
venting component comprises: an upper-apertured portion projecting
outwardly from the base; and an outer portion depending from the
upper-apertured portion and engageable with an inward face of the
lower portion of the upper siding panel.
6. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the outer
portion of the upper venting component comprises an outwardly
projecting lip engageable with a lower edge of the upper siding
panel.
7. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lower
venting component comprises: a lower apertured portion projecting
inwardly from the interior surface of the hood; and an inner
portion depending from the lower apertured portion and engageable
with one or more of: an inward face of the upper portion of the
lower siding panel and an outward face of the upper portion of the
lower siding panel.
8. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inner
portion of the lower venting component comprises a first connecting
flange for abutting against the inward face of the upper portion of
the lower siding panel.
9. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the lower
venting component comprises a second connecting flange depending
from the lower apertured portion, the second connecting flange
spaced outwardly from the first connecting flange for receiving the
upper portion of the lower sliding member between the first and
second connecting flanges.
10. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the lower
venting component comprises: an upper apertured segment projecting
downwardly from an undersurface of the hood; and a lower segment
depending from the upper apertured segment and engageable with one
or more of: an inward face of the upper portion of the lower siding
panel and an outward face of the upper portion of the lower siding
panel.
11. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 10 wherein: the
lower venting component comprises a ledge flange which projects
inwardly from between the upper apertured segment and the lower
segment; an outward face of the lower segment is engageable with an
inward face of the upper portion of the lower siding panel; and an
upper edge of the lower siding panel abuts against an undersurface
of the ledge flange.
12. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hood
comprises: a spacer portion projecting outwardly from the base; and
a protective portion extending downwardly from the spacer
portion.
13. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the hood
comprises an inclined drip edge extending downwardly and outwardly
from a lower edge of the protective portion and wherein the
protective portion extends more sharply downwardly than the drip
edge.
14. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the base, the hood
and the upper and lower venting components are integrally
formed.
15. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hood
comprises: a spacer portion projecting outwardly from the base; and
a protective portion extending downwardly from the spacer
portion.
16. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the hood
comprises an inclined drip edge extending downwardly and outwardly
from a lower edge of the protective portion and wherein the
protective portion extends more sharply downwardly than the drip
edge.
17. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the base, the hood
and the upper and lower venting components are integrally
formed.
18. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the lower
venting component comprises: an upper apertured segment projecting
downwardly from an undersurface of the hood; and a lower segment
depending from the upper apertured segment and engageable with one
or more of: an inward face of the upper portion of the lower siding
panel and an outward face of the upper portion of the lower siding
panel.
19. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: the
lower venting component comprises a ledge flange which projects
inwardly from between the upper apertured segment and the lower
segment; an outward face of the lower segment is engageable with an
inward face of the upper portion of the lower siding panel; and an
upper edge of the lower siding panel abuts against an undersurface
of the ledge flange.
20. A building wall ventilation system comprising: a plurality of
ventilation apparatus according to claim 1; and one or more
couplers for connecting a pair of horizontally adjacent ventilation
apparatus in edge to edge relationship to form a ventilation trim
extending along a horizontal length of the building wall.
21. A building wall ventilation system comprising: a plurality of
ventilation apparatus according to claim 18; and one or more
couplers for connecting a pair of horizontally adjacent ventilation
apparatus in edge to edge relationship to form a ventilation trim
extending along a horizontal length of the building wall.
22. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 21
wherein each one of the couplers comprises: one or more upper
transversely extending flanges shaped for slideable engagement with
the upper venting components of a corresponding pair of
horizontally adjacent ventilation apparatus; and one or more middle
transversely extending flanges shaped for slideable engagement with
the hoods of the corresponding pair of horizontally adjacent
ventilation apparatus.
23. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 22
wherein each one of the couplers comprises one or more lower
transversely extending flanges for slidable engagement with the
lower venting components of the corresponding pair of horizontally
adjacent ventilation apparatus.
24. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 22
wherein the one or more middle transversely extending flanges
comprise a U-shaped receptacle for receiving lowermost edges of the
hoods of the corresponding pair of horizontally adjacent
ventilation apparatus.
25. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 18,
comprising one or more upper ventilation apparatus for installation
between an upper edge of the exterior wall layer and a soffit, each
upper ventilation apparatus comprising: a base mountable to the
exterior building wall layer; an apertured upper venting portion
extending upwardly from the base for providing ventilation to the
upper interstitial space, the upper interstitial space extending
below the upper ventilation apparatus and located between the
interior and exterior wall layers; and a hood projecting outwardly
and downwardly from above the apertures of the upper venting
portion.
26. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 23,
wherein the hood of each upper ventilation apparatus comprises: a
spacer portion projecting outwardly from the base; and a protective
portion extending downwardly from the spacer portion.
27. A building wall ventilation system according to claim 25,
wherein the upper ventilation apparatus comprises a flange
projecting outwardly from the base for engagement with the upper
edge of the exterior wall layer.
28. A building wall ventilation system mountable in wall between an
upper siding component and a lower siding component, the
ventilation system comprising: a base mountable to an interior wall
layer, an upper apertured element located between the interior wall
layer and an interior surface of the upper siding member for
venting an upper interstitial space, the upper interstitial space
extending above the ventilation apparatus and located at least in
part between the interior wall layer and the upper siding
component; a lower apertured element for venting a lower
interstitial space, the lower interstitial space extending below
the ventilation apparatus and located at least in part between the
interior wall layer and the lower siding component; and a hood for
covering the lower apertured element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to ventilation apparatus for
installation in building walls. Particular embodiments of the
invention provide air flow and moisture management in a space
between interior and exterior layers of building walls.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exterior layers (e.g. siding) can be installed to cover an
exterior of a building wall to protect the building from
precipitation, wind and other environmental effects. Siding
typically consists of panels, shingles or sheets, generally
arranged in horizontal and/or vertical rows which may overlap with
one another. Siding can be made of materials such as wood, metal,
vinyl, composite materials, stucco, etc.
[0003] Moisture can occasionally penetrate the external layer of a
building wall, or first plane of protection of a building wall, and
become trapped in spaces between external and internal layers of
the building wall. This is a particular problem in wet climates. If
the moisture does not evaporate or drain away, it can eventually
result in mold growth, rot and/or structural damage to the building
structure.
[0004] Siding panels may be perforated to allow for air circulation
between the siding and internal building layers. For example, U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0097810 (Leichtfried) and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,488 (Pelfrey et al.) disclose vinyl siding
panels in which portions of the vinyl panels have apertures to
allow moisture to evaporate from within the building wall. However,
it may be difficult, costly and/or impractical to create
perforations in siding panels which are made of other materials
such as wood or metal. In addition, apertures formed in siding can
allow excessive moisture (e.g. from rain) to enter the wall.
[0005] Ventilation strips may be installed in the soffit (i.e.
under the eave) of a roof to permit air circulation in the space
above the ventilation strip. Examples of such ventilation strips
are described or shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0166529 (Rodolfo et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,224 (Rasmussen
et al.), and U.S. Design Pat. No. 271,713 (Hicks) and Nos. D503,469
and D503,470 (Rodolfo et al.). These soffit ventilation strips
alone do not provide for sufficient air flow and moisture
management between the layers of building walls, particularly where
the walls of the building are several stories high and the air flow
provided by the soffit ventilation is insufficient.
[0006] There is a general desire for apparatus to permit air flow
and/or moisture management in a space between internal and external
layers of building walls.
SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the invention provides a ventilation apparatus
for installation in a building wall. The ventilation apparatus has
a base mountable to an interior wall layer, and a hood projecting
outwardly and downwardly from the base to an exterior of an
exterior wall layer. The ventilation apparatus has an apertured
upper venting component located above the hood for providing
ventilation between the exterior of the exterior wall layer and an
upper interstitial space extending above the ventilation apparatus
and located between the interior and exterior wall layers. The
ventilation apparatus also has an apertured lower venting component
located below the hood for providing ventilation between the
exterior of the exterior wall layer and a lower interstitial space
extending below the ventilation apparatus and located between the
interior and exterior wall layers.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention provide a building wall
ventilation system mountable in wall between an upper siding
component and a lower siding component. The ventilation system
comprises: a base mountable to an interior wall layer, an upper
apertured element located between the interior wall layer and an
interior surface of the upper siding member for venting an upper
interstitial space, the upper interstitial space extending above
the ventilation apparatus and located at least in part between the
interior wall layer and the upper siding component; a lower
apertured element for venting a lower interstitial space, the lower
interstitial space extending below the ventilation apparatus and
located at least in part between the interior wall layer and the
lower siding component; and a hood for covering the lower apertured
element.
[0009] In some embodiments, the apertured upper venting component
of the ventilation apparatus projects outwardly from the base and
engages a lower portion of an upper siding panel of the exterior
wall layer. The apertured lower venting component of the
ventilation apparatus may project inwardly from an interior surface
of the hood and engages an upper portion of a lower siding panel of
the exterior wall layer. The apertured lower venting component may
project downwardly from an undersurface of the hood and engages an
upper portion of a lower siding panel of the exterior wall
layer.
[0010] In some embodiments, the hood of the ventilation apparatus
includes a spacer portion projecting outwardly from the base and a
protective portion extending downwardly from the spacer portion.
The hood may also include an inclined drip edge extending
downwardly and outwardly from a lower edge of the protective
portion. The protective portion may extend more sharply downwardly
than the drip edge. The base, the hood and the upper and lower
venting components may be integrally formed.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention provides for a building wall
ventilation system. In some embodiments, the building wall
ventilation system has a plurality of horizontally adjacent
ventilation apparatus coupled together in edge to edge relationship
by a plurality of couplers to form a ventilation trim extending
along a horizontal length of the building wall. Each of the
couplers has one or more upper transversely extending flanges
shaped for slideable engagement with the upper venting components
of a corresponding pair of horizontally adjacent ventilation
apparatus, and one or more middle transversely extending flanges
shaped for slideable engagement with the hoods of the corresponding
pair of horizontally adjacent ventilation apparatus.
[0012] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments
described above, further aspects and embodiments will become
apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following
detailed descriptions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] In drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the
invention,
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an inter-panel
ventilation apparatus according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the FIG. 1 ventilation
apparatus;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of two adjacent
inter-panel ventilation apparatus connected together and installed
between siding panels on a building wall;
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B (together, FIG. 4) are front and side
perspective views, respectively, of a coupler for connecting
together adjacent inter-panel ventilation apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 4 coupler
shown connecting two adjacent inter-panel ventilation
apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an upper ventilation
apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 6 ventilation
apparatus installed between a soffit edge and an uppermost siding
panel;
[0021] FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an inter-panel
ventilation apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8B is an enlarged front perspective view of a portion
of the FIG. 8A ventilation apparatus; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a coupler for
connecting together adjacent ones of the ventilation apparatus
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B (together, FIG. 8).
DESCRIPTION
[0024] Throughout the following description, specific details are
set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to
persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not
have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings
are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive,
sense.
[0025] This description employs a number of simplifying directional
conventions. Directions are described in relation to a vertically
oriented building wall (e.g. wall 15 of FIG. 3). Referring to FIG.
3, directions may be referred to as: "external", "exterior",
"outward" or the like if they tend toward an exterior 102 of
building wall 15; "internal", "interior", "inward" or the like if
they tend toward an interior 104 of building wall 15; "upward" or
the like if they tend toward the top (not explicitly enumerated) of
building wall 15; "downward" or the like if they tend toward the
bottom (not explicitly enumerated) of building wall 15; "vertical"
or the like if they tend both upwardly and downwardly; "leftward"
or the like if they tend toward one side of building wall 15;
"rightward" or the like if they tend toward the opposing side of
building wall 15; and "sideways", "transverse" or the like if they
tend both leftward and rightward. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that these directional conventions are used for
the purpose of facilitating the description and should not be
interpreted in a literal sense. In particular, the invention may be
employed, for example, in walls 15 that are not strictly vertically
oriented.
[0026] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an inter-panel ventilation apparatus
10 for installation in a building wall 15. In the illustrated
embodiment, siding panels 12, 13 are generally horizontally
oriented and inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 is located
generally between upper and lower siding panels 12, 13. In the
illustrated embodiment, siding panels 12, 13 are formed from wood.
Generally, however, siding panels 12, 13 may be formed of other
materials including, by way of non-limiting example, vinyl,
aluminum, stucco or any other suitable material(s).
[0027] As is typical, building wall 15 may comprise several layers.
In the illustrated embodiment, building wall 15 has an exterior
wall layer 19 comprising siding panels 12, 13. Exterior wall layer
19 is mounted to an exterior of a number of interior wall layers.
In the illustrated embodiment, interior wall layers include
sheathing layer 14 which may be mounted to wall studs (not shown).
Sheathing layer 14 may comprise plywood, together with building
wrap paper (e.g. Tyvek.TM. marketed and sold by E. I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company), other building wrap material(s), other
moisture barrier material(s) and/or the like. In other embodiments,
different sheathing materials may be used to form sheathing layer
14 or sheathing layer 14 may not be present at all. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that building wall 15 may
incorporate other materials (e.g. insulation, vapor barriers or the
like) on an interior of sheathing layer 14. These optional other
materials are not discussed herein as they are not germane to the
explanation of the current invention.
[0028] Building wall 15 is constructed so as to create interstitial
space 18 between exterior wall layer 19 and sheathing layer 14.
Interstitial space 18 creates a condensation layer external to
sheathing layer 14 such that moisture is generally prevented from
entering the building. In prior art building constructions, airflow
into and out of interstitial space 18 is provided by openings at
the foundation of wall 15 (i.e. at the bottom of external layer 19)
and at or near the soffit (i.e. at the top of external layer 19).
This airflow allows the venting of interstitial space 18. However,
in higher building walls (e.g. walls that are over one story tall),
the airflow provided at the bottom and the top of external layer 19
is insufficient to fully vent interstitial space 18.
[0029] In general, interstitial space 18 need not necessarily be
empty space. There are a variety of construction techniques
typically used to create a ventilated interstitial space 18. In the
illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, interstitial space 18
is created by providing a layer of ventable material 11, such as,
by way of non-limiting example, Home Slicker.TM. marketed and sold
by Bejamin Obdyke Incorporated of Horsham, Pa., Delta Dry.TM.
marketed and sold by Cosella-Dorken Products, Inc. of Beamsville,
Ontario, Canada or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 3, ventable material 11 is applied to sheathing layer
14. Ventable material 11 may be provided in rolls which are
unwound, cut to size and fastened (e.g. by staples) to sheathing
layer 14.
[0030] In other embodiments, different techniques may be used to
create interstitial space 18. Such techniques do not require the
use of ventable material 11. For example, one relatively common
technique involves creating columns or channels of interstitial
space 18 by attaching vertically extending spacers (referred to as
"furring strips" and/or "strapping") to sheathing layer 14 at
transversely spaced apart locations. These furring strips create
vertical columns of empty space between sheathing layer 14 and
exterior wall layer 19. Still other systems for providing
interstitial space 18 are known to those skilled in the art. The
various embodiments of the invention should be understood to be
applicable to any such techniques for creating an interstitial
space 18 which allow for flow of air and moisture between sheathing
layer 14 and exterior wall layer 19.
[0031] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10 has a generally uniform cross-section along its
horizontal dimension. Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 includes
a base 16 which can be mounted to an interior building wall layer,
such as sheathing layer 14, using suitable fasteners such as
screws, nails, staples, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment,
base 16 extends both horizontally and vertically. Base 16 is
optionally penetrated by a plurality of apertures 17 for projection
of fasteners therethrough. In other embodiments, apertures 17 are
not required and fasteners may project directly through base 16 and
into an interior building wall layer (e.g. sheating 14).
[0032] Projecting outwardly and downwardly from base 16 is a hood
20. In the illustrated embodiment, hood 20 comprises a spacer
portion 21 projecting outwardly and optionally downwardly from base
16 and a protective portion 22 extending downwardly and optionally
outwardly from spacer portion 21. In embodiments where spacer
portion 21 and protective portion 22 extend both downwardly and
outwardly, protective portion 22 extends more sharply downwardly
than spacer portion 21. In other embodiments, hood 20 may be a
curved piece projecting outwardly and downwardly from base 16.
[0033] Hood 20 may have an inclined drip edge 24 extending from
protective portion 22. Drip edge 24 may also extend outwardly and
downwardly. Preferably, drip edge 24 extends more sharply
downwardly than spacer portion 21 but less sharply downwardly than
protective portion 22.
[0034] As shown best in FIG. 3, when inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10 is installed in building wall 15, hood 20 projects
outwardly from base 16 (i.e. from a location inward of siding
panels 12, 13 to a location outward of siding panels 12, 13). Hood
20 provides several functions. Water received hood 20 (e.g. rain
water or condensation which may be received on spacer portion 21
and/or protective portion 22; and moisture from condensation or the
like which may drain from interstitial space 18 above spacer
portion 21) is directed outwardly and downwardly to exterior 102.
Hood 20 also provides a weather shield which prevents moisture from
entering interstitial space 18 below inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10.
[0035] Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 has an apertured upper
venting component 26 located above hood 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, upper venting component 26 has an upper-apertured
portion 30 projecting generally outwardly from base 16 and an outer
portion 31 depending from an outer edge of apertured portion 30.
Outer portion 31 of upper venting component 26 abuts against an
inward face of lower portion 12A of upper siding panel 12 (FIG. 3).
Upper venting component 26 may have a lip 32 which projects
outwardly from outer portion 31 for engaging a lower edge portion
12B of upper siding panel 12. In the illustrated embodiment, where
siding panels are made from wood, upper siding panel 12 rests upon
outwardly projecting lip 32. In other embodiments, where siding
panels are fabricated from other materials, lower edge portion 12B
of upper siding panel 12 may wrap around lip 32. Suitable fasteners
may also be used to couple upper siding panel 12 to outer portion
31 and/or lip 32. Apertured portion 30 of upper venting component
26 is penetrated by a plurality of apertures 27 along its generally
horizontal dimension which allow air to enter and exit interstitial
space 18 above inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 (e.g.
interstitial space 18 between an interior of upper siding panel 12
and an exterior of sheathing layer 14).
[0036] Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 also has an apertured
lower venting component 34 located below spacer portion 21 of hood
20 and inwardly of protective portion 22 of hood 20. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, lower venting component
34 has a lower-apertured portion 35 projecting inwardly from an
inside surface of protection portion 22 of hood 20. Lower aperture
portion 35 is penetrated by a plurality of apertures 37 along its
generally horizontal dimension which allow air to enter and exit
interstitial space 18 below inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10
(e.g interstitial space 18 between an interior of lower siding
panel 13 and an exterior of sheathing layer 14).
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, lower venting component 34
also has a lower-inner portion 36 located interior to apertures 37
for engaging with upper portion 13A of lower siding panel 13. In
the illustrated embodiment, inner portion 36 includes a first
connecting flange 42 which extends downwardly from an interior edge
of lower-apertured component 35 and abuts against an inward face of
lower siding panel 13. Inner portion 36 may optionally include a
second downwardly extending connecting flange 43 spaced outwardly
from first connecting flange 42. Together first and second
connecting flanges 42, 43 may form a downwardly opening channel 82
for receiving upper portion 13A of lower siding panel 13. In some
building walls where siding panels have different shapes, upper
portion 13A of lower siding panel 13 may abut against both first
and second connecting flanges 42, 43. First connecting flange 42
may have a greater depth than that of second connecting flange
43.
[0038] Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 may be integrally
formed as one piece (e.g. by injection molding or extrusion, for
example) and installed in building wall 15. In other embodiments,
various components of inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10
described herein are formed as separate pieces which are installed
and assembled in building wall 15. Inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10 may be made of rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as,
by way of non-limiting example, metal, plastic, etc.
[0039] Interior wall layers of building wall 15 (e.g. sheathing
layer 14 and/or other interior wall layers) may be constructed
prior to installation of inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10.
Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10, ventable material 11 and/or
furring strips, and siding panels 12, 13 can then be installed in
building wall 15.
[0040] To install inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 in building
wall 15, base 16 of inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 is mounted
to sheathing layer 14 (e.g. by projection of suitable fasteners
(through apertures 17 or otherwise) through base 16 an into
sheathing layer 14). Elements used to create interstitial space 18
may be mounted to wall 15 before and/or after apparatus 10 is
mounted. For example, where interstitial space 18 is formed by
furring strip spacers, such furring strip spacers (not shown) may
be mounted to sheathing 14 at suitably horizontally spaced apart
locations. Apparatus 10 may be mounted to sheathing 14 before or
after such furring strips, such that apparatus 10 is located
between the vertically extending and horizontally spaced-apart
furring strips. Where interstitial space 18 contains ventable
material 11, such ventable material 11 may be applied to sheathing
layer 14. Ventable material 11 may be applied after apparatus 10,
so as to extend downwardly past an upper edge of base 16 at a
location exterior to base 16. In the illustrated embodiment,
ventable material 11 extends downwardly past an upper edge of base
16 to approach and/or abut against apertured portion 30 of upper
venting component 26, although this is not necessary.
[0041] Apparatus 10 may be mounted at suitable locations along the
vertical extent of wall 15 to increase air flow through (i.e.
improve the venting of) interstitial space 18. For example, where
building wall 15 has venting openings to interstitial space 18 at
its top (e.g. near the soffit) and bottom (e.g. near the
foundation), then apparatus 10 may be installed at regular
intervals (e.g. midway) between these venting openings (i.e. at
location(s) spaced apart from both the bottom and the top
openings). In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be installed
between stories of the building. In some embodiments, a plurality
of apparatus 10 may be installed in wall 15 at locations vertically
spaced apart from one another.
[0042] After apparatus 10 is mounted, siding may be mounted to wall
15 in the conventional manner to provide interstitial space 18
above and below apparatus 10. Upper siding panel 13 (which actually
represents the lowermost siding panel in wall 15 that is located
above apparatus 10) may be installed to engage lip 32 and to abut
against outer portion 31 of upper venting component 26, as
discussed above. Lower siding panel 13 (which actually represents
the uppermost siding panel in wall 15 that is located below
apparatus 10) may be installed to abut against an exterior surface
of flange 43 as described above. In some embodiments, it may be
necessary to cut siding panels 12, 13 (or other siding panels in
wall 15) to accommodate apparatus 10.
[0043] In embodiments where base 16, venting components 26, 34 and
hood 20 of inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 are formed as
separate pieces, the pieces are installed in building wall 15 in
stages. For example, in one embodiment, the method of installation
comprises the following steps. Base 16 is mounted to sheathing
layer 14. Ventable material 11 may be applied to sheathing layer 14
above and below base 16. Upper venting component 26 is mounted to
sheathing layer 14 and connected to base 16. Lower venting
component 34 is mounted to sheathing layer 14. Hood 20 is installed
by connecting spacer portion 21 of hood 20 to base 16, and
protective portion 22 of hood 20 to lower venting flange 34.
[0044] Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 may be formed in
discrete lengths. A plurality of inter-panel ventilation apparatus
10 may be connected together lengthwise to form a ventilation strip
extending along a length (e.g. a horizontal length) of building
wall 15.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a coupler 50 for connecting adjacent
inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 to each other. Coupler 50 has
a portion 52 with an inverted J-shaped cross-section, which may be
referenced as J-shaped portion 52. As shown in FIG. 4, J-shaped
portion 52 comprises a generally vertical base component 79, an
outwardly extending component 78 which extends outwardly from base
component 79, and a component 77 which extends downwardly from
component 78. Coupler 50 also has a portion 54 with an inverted
L-shaped cross-section, which may be referenced as L-shaped portion
54. L-shaped portion 54 comprises a component 81 which extends
outwardly from base component 79 of J-shaped portion 52 and
optionally downwardly (e.g. to match the orientation of spacer
portion 21 of hood 20). L-shaped portion 54 also comprises a
component 80 extending downwardly and optionally outwardly from
component 81 (e.g. to match the orientation of protective portion
22 of hood 20). L-shaped portion 54 may have a U-shaped end portion
57 at a lower edge of component 80 for receiving drip edges 24 of
adjacent inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10.
[0046] Coupler 50 may be used to couple horizontally adjacent
inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B to each other as shown
in FIG. 5. Each side 52A, 52B of J-shaped portion 52 is
respectively slid into a space 53 (FIG. 2) between base 16 and an
upper venting component 26 of a corresponding one of adjacent
inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B. Component 77 of
J-shaped portion 52 may abut against an interior face of outer
portion 31 of upper venting component 26. Component 78 of J-shaped
portion 52 may abut against an underside of apertured portion 30 of
upper venting component 26. Component 79 of J-shaped portion 52 may
abut against an exterior face of base 16. Meanwhile, each side 54A,
54B of L-shaped portion 54 is respectively slid onto a hood 20 of a
corresponding one of adjacent inter-panel ventilation apparatus
10A, 10B. Component 81 of L-shaped portion 54 may abut against an
upper surface of spacer portion 21 of hood 20. Component 80 of
L-shaped portion 54 may abut against an exterior surface of
protective portion 22 of hood 20. In embodiments where inter-panel
ventilation apparatus 10 includes drip edge 24, U-shaped end
portion 57 of coupler 50 may receive drip edges 24 of adjacent
inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B.
[0047] Coupler 50 may have a divider 55 which divides portion 52
into symmetrical sides 52A, 52B. Ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B may
be mounted to opposing sides 52A, 52B of coupler 50 and slid toward
one another until adjacent edges of inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10A, 10B abut against divider 55. It is not necessary
that adjacent inter-panel apparatus 10A, 10B approach and/or abut
against divider 55, provided that apparatus 10A, 10B extend on
coupler 50 to interact with J-shaped portion 52 and L-shaped
portion 54 as described above.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 4B, upper and lower portions 46, 47 of
divider 55 may extend above and below coupler 50 respectively.
Coupler 50 may have a lower vent connection member 56 extending
transversely from each opposing side of lower portion 47 of divider
55 for engaging with an upper surface of lower venting components
34 of adjacent ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B.
[0049] The above-described coupling between adjacent ventilation
apparatus 10A, 10B and coupler 50 may involve deformation of one or
more components of ventilation apparatus 10A, 10B and/or coupler
50, such that deformative restoration forces tend to increase the
strength and/or friction of joints made between abutting
surfaces.
[0050] When mounted in a building wall 15, inter-panel ventilation
apparatus 10 provides ventilation of interstitial space 18 and
drainage of moisture from interstitial space 18. Air flow into and
out of interstitial space 18 can carry moisture away from within
wall 15. Apparatus 10 provides ventilation to interstitial space 18
above apparatus 10 via apertures 27 and provides ventilation to
interstitial space 18 below apparatus 10 via apertures 37. Where
building wall 15 already has apertures providing ventilation to
interstitial space 18 (e.g. at the top of wall 15 adjacent a soffit
and/or at the bottom of wall 15 adjacent the foundation), apparatus
10 provides improved ventilation by decreasing the space between
such apertures. Apparatus 10 may be used in conjunction with
ventilation apparatus above and/or below windows and other building
openings to provide venting to interstitial space 18. In
particular, apparatus 10 may be used in conjunction with the
building opening moisture management systems disclosed in co-owned
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/846,487 which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0051] In building walls where interstitial space 18 is provided by
furring strips, air ventilation provided by apparatus 10 may be
limited (for the most part) to columns defined between horizontally
spaced-apart pairs of furring strips. On the other hand, where
interstitial space 18 is provided by ventable material 11, air is
free to travel both horizontally and vertically within interstitial
space 18. Apparatus 10 may be installed in building wall 15 in
horizontal rows 23 at vertically-spaced apart locations from one
another, to permit venting in the interior of wall 15. Such rows 23
may be located between stories of the building.
[0052] After installation, inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 is
mostly obscured from view, apart from hood 20 which extends
outwardly and downwardly from between rows of siding. Hood 20
diverts water received on spacer portion 21 toward exterior 102 of
wall 15. The water may come from rain collecting on spacer portion
21 or from moisture or condensation in interstitial space 18 which
has drained through apertures 27 of apertured portion 30. Hood 20
also provides a weather shield for apertures 37 of lower venting
component 34 and for an inter-siding space below spacer portion 21
of hood 20. Hood 20 may be an aesthetically pleasing part of
building wall 15 by providing the appearance of a trim between
siding panels 12, 13.
[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an upper ventilation apparatus 60 which
may be installed above an uppermost siding panel 62 adjoining a
soffit edge 75 (as seen in FIG. 7), balcony, window or other
building structure which extends outwardly from wall 15. Upper
ventilation apparatus 60 has a base 64 mountable to an interior
face of uppermost siding panel 62. Base 64 may comprise a plurality
of apertures through which suitable fasteners may extend to mount
apparatus 60 to siding panel 62. In some embodiments, these
apertures are not required as suitable fasteners may project
directly through base 64. Uppermost siding panel 62 may abut
against an exterior of base 64 as shown in FIG. 7. Extending
upwardly from base 64 is an upper venting portion 65, which is
penetrated by a plurality of apertures 67 allowing air to enter and
exit interstitial space 18 (e.g. interstitial space 18 below
ventilation apparatus 60 between uppermost siding panel 62 and
sheathing layer 14).
[0054] Projecting outwardly and downwardly from upper venting
portion 65 is a hood 70. Hood 70 may comprise a spacer portion 71,
a protective portion 72 and a drip edge 74 which may have features
substantially similar to the features of spacer portion 21,
protective portion 22 and drip edge 24 described above.
[0055] Hood 70 carries away water received on spacer portion 71 or
protective portion 72 outwardly and downwardly to exterior 102.
Hood 70 also provides a weather shield to apertures 67 of upper
venting portion 65 and to the space below spacer portion 71 of hood
70.
[0056] Upper venting apparatus 60 may have a flange 76 projecting
outwardly from base 64 for engagement with an upper edge of siding
panel 62.
[0057] A plurality of horizontally adjacent upper ventilation
apparatus 60 may be connected together lengthwise using suitable
couplers to form a ventilation trim installable above a row of
uppermost siding panels extending along a horizontal length of
building wall 15. Such couplers maybe similar to coupler 50
described above and/or coupler 150 described below. In operation,
each such coupler may be used to connect a pair of horizontally
adjacent upper ventilation apparatus 60. As with the connection
between adjacent ventilation apparatus 10 and coupler 50, the
coupling between adjacent upper ventilation apparatus 60 and such a
coupler may involve deformation of one or more components of
apparatus 600 and/or the, such that deformative restoration forces
tend to increase the strength and/or friction of joints made
between abutting surfaces.
[0058] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9 show various views of a ventilation
apparatus 110 according to another embodiment of the invention and
a coupler 150 for connecting a horizontally adjacent pair of
ventilation apparatus 110. Many features of ventilation apparatus
110 and coupler 150 are similar to those of ventilation apparatus
10 and coupler 50 described above. Such features of ventilation
apparatus 110 and coupler 150 are shown with reference numerals
similar to those of ventilation apparatus 10 and coupler 50, except
that features of ventilation apparatus 110 and coupler 150 are
preceded with the digit "1".
[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, ventilation apparatus 110
comprises a base 116 (including apertures 117) and a hood 120
(including spacer portion 121, protective portion 122 and drip edge
124) which are substantially similar to, and function in a manner
substantially similar to, corresponding features of ventilation
apparatus 10. Apertured upper venting component 126 and apertured
lower venting component 134 of ventilation apparatus 110 differ
from venting components 26, 34 of ventilation apparatus 10.
[0060] In ventilation apparatus 110, apertured upper venting
component 126 comprises an upper apertured portion 130 having
apertures 127. As shown in FIG. 8B, apertures 127 have different
shapes and configurations than apertures 27 of ventilation
apparatus 10. Apertured upper venting component 126 also comprises
an outer portion 131 which extends downwardly from an outer edge of
upper apertured portion 130. In the illustrated embodiments, outer
portion 131 extends downwardly to a lesser degree than outer
portion 31 of ventilation apparatus 10. Upper venting component 126
does not have a lip similar to lip 32 of ventilation apparatus
10.
[0061] In operation, upper venting component 126 may function in a
manner similar to upper venting component 26 to provide ventilation
to interstitial space 18 above apparatus 110. More particularly,
outer portion 131 may receive a lower portion 12A of upper siding
panel 12 (e.g. in an abutting relationship) to provide a space for
air flow between exterior 102 of wall 15 and interstitial space 18
through apertures 127 in upper apertured portion 130.
[0062] In ventilation apparatus 110, apertured lower venting
component 134 comprises a generally vertically extending lower
apertured portion 135 which is oriented differently than the
outwardly extending lower apertured portion 35 of ventilation
apparatus 10. Lower apertured portion 135 comprises a plurality of
apertures 137 on its upper segment 135A but, in the illustrated
embodiment, is not apertured on its lower segment 135B. In some
embodiments, both upper and lower segments 135A, 135B may be
provided with apertures 137. In the illustrated embodiment,
apertured lower venting component 134 also comprises a ledge flange
139 which extends outwardly from lower apertured portion 135.
[0063] In operation, lower venting component 134 may function in a
manner similar to lower venting component 34 to provide ventilation
to interstitial space 18 below apparatus 110. More particularly,
lower apertured portion 135 may receive an upper portion 13A of
lower siding panel 13 (e.g. in an abutting relationship) to provide
a space for air flow between exterior 102 of wall 15 and
interstitial space 18 through apertures 137 in lower apertured
portion 135. In some embodiments, upper portion 13A of lower siding
panel 13 may be received in abutting relation on an exterior
surface of lower segment 135B and may approach and/or abut against
ledge flange 139. Ledge flange 139 may prevent lower siding panel
13 from extending so far upwardly as to restrict air flow through
apertures 137.
[0064] In other respects, ventilation apparatus 110 may be similar
to ventilation apparatus 10 described above.
[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, coupler 150 comprises: a
L-shaped portion 154 (including outwardly extending component 181,
downwardly and optionally outwardly extending component 180) and a
U-shaped end portion 157, which are similar in many respects to,
and function in a manner similar to, corresponding components of
coupler 50, except that the components of coupler 150 have smaller
transverse dimensions than the corresponding components of coupler
50. Coupler 150 also comprises a divider 155 which, in a manner
similar to divider 55 of coupler 50, divides coupler 150 into
symmetrical halves.
[0066] Coupler 150 differs from coupler 50 in that rather than
having a J-shaped portion 52 like coupler 50, coupler 150 instead
has a second L-shaped portion 152. Second L-shaped portion 152
comprises a generally vertically extending base component 179 and
an outwardly extending component 178 which extends outwardly from a
upper portion base component 179. Coupler 150 also comprises a
generally vertically oriented connection member 156 which replaces
connection member 56 of coupler 50.
[0067] In operation, coupler 150 is used in a similar manner to
coupler 50 to connect horizontally adjacent ventilation apparatus
110. As with the connection between adjacent ventilation apparatus
10 and coupler 50, the coupling between adjacent ventilation
apparatus 110 and coupler 150 may involve deformation of one or
more components of apparatus 110 and/or coupler 150, such that
deformative restoration forces tend to increase the strength and/or
friction of joints made between abutting surfaces.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, L-shaped portion 54 slides
onto hood 120, such that component 181 of L-shaped portion 154
abuts against an upper surface of spacer portion 21 and component
180 of L-shaped portion 154 abuts against protective portion 22.
Second L-shaped portion 152 may slide into space 153 (FIG. 8B)
between base 116 and upper venting component 126, such that
component 178 of second L-shaped portion 152 abuts against an
underside of apertured portion 130 and component 179 of second
L-shaped portion 152 abuts against an exterior face of base 116. In
embodiments where ventilation apparatus 110 includes drip edge 124,
U-shaped end portion 157 of coupler 150 may receive drip edge 124
of adjacent ventilation apparatus 110.
[0069] As with the operation of coupler 50 described above,
adjacent edges of ventilation apparatus 110 may approach and/or
abut against divider 155. In the illustrated embodiment, connection
member 156 extends transversely from either side of divider 155 for
engaging with lower apertured portion 135. In some embodiments, an
inward side of connection member 156 abuts against an outward side
of upper segment 135A of lower apertured portion 135 and a lower
edge of connection member 156 may abut against an upper surface of
ledge flange 139. In other embodiments, an outward side of
connection member 156 abuts against an inward side of lower
apertured portion 135.
[0070] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have
been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize
certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations
thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended
claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include
all such modifications, permutations, additions and
sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. For
example: [0071] Inter-panel ventilation apparatus 10 may be
installed in a building wall 15 between siding panels 12, 13 which
are not oriented generally horizontally (e.g. panels 12, 13 may be
diagonally oriented, or vertically oriented).
* * * * *