Bird-proof Exhaust Vent Cover Appartus And Methods

Abstract

Provided, herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vent of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the sidewall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional, dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to exhaust vents, air inlets and outlets. In particular, the present disclosure relates to bird-proof exhaust vent covers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Exhaust vents, such as exhaust vents for clothes dryers and bathroom exhaust fans, allow birds to get into the exhaust duct and build nests. The resulting obstruction causes air flow issues, as well as safety issues, and results in increased operational and repair expenses, as well as increased utility bills. Known exhaust vents sometimes include a mesh screen to keep birds out, but the screen catches lint, dust, causing the screen itself to become an undesirable obstacle to air flow. For example, for clothes dryer vents having a screen, within a few weeks to months the screen becomes blocked by lint, causing the dry time to be extended (if the clothes dry at all). The dryer can overheat, again increasing operational costs, repairs and high utility bills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary bird-proof vent cover apparatus mounted on a vertical surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Provided herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus. The apparatus includes features to make it difficult, if not impossible, for birds to enter the vent or build nests in the vent or vent cover. The apparatus, in come embodiments, offers the further advantage of being low maintenance, requiring little to none in terms of cleaning and maintenance during its useful life (decades).

[0009] In an example shown in FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary bird-proof, maintenance-free cover is shown. In this example, the cover 10 is designed to install easily over any existing residential exhaust vent that is mounted on a vertical surface. For example, FIG. 5 shows the cover 10 mounted over an existing clothes dryer vent on the vertical exterior surface of a residential home having vinyl siding thereon. However, in another embodiment, the cover 10 can be a complete vent solution, including a cover 10 having an integral vent. In a preferred embodiment, the vent 100 includes a closeable vent louver 110. In the most preferred embodiment, the vent 100 includes a hinged louver 110 for opening and closing the vent opening, such as by positive air pressure created by an attached appliance, such as a clothes dryer, exhaust fan, furnace, water heater, oven, or fireplace, for example.

[0010] The cover 10 includes several key features that prevent birds from building nests, obstructing, entering, or otherwise interfering with the vent 100 and vent louver 110, as well as the vent opening (not illustrated). In the example of FIGS. 1-5, the cover 10 includes a top portion 20 that is shaped and otherwise configured so as to prevent birds from sitting on the top portion 20, and also to prevent the construction of nests on the top portion 20 of the cover 10. In the example of FIGS. 1-5, the top portion 20 specifically comprises a sloped portion, as illustrated. In any case, when installed, the top portion 20 lacks any appreciable surface portion that would be oriented horizontally upon installation of the cover 10. Preferably, the top portion 20 includes a surface or coating that provides low-friction. For example, the top portion 20 can include an outer surface portion that is coated with smooth, hard coating such as, but not limited to, paint, metal, PTFE (such as TEFLON brand PTFE by DuPont), and the like.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1-5, the cover 10 also preferably includes an elongate sidewall portion 40. The sidewall portion 40 extends vertically downward from the top portion 20, and forms and connects a vent opening 70 of the vent cover 10 to an end opening 50 of the cover 10. In other words, the sidewalk portion 40 forms an elongate vertically-orientated conduit from outlet opening 50 to rear opening 70, allowing air from the vent 100 to escape through the cover 10, with most of the air preferably exiting outlet opening 50. The sidewall portion 40 is illustrated as substantially rectangular, however, it may be made into any elongate shape and cross section. The critical feature of sidewall portion 40 is that it extends vertically downward from vent 100 and top portion 20 far enough to prevent birds from passing through outlet opening 50 and reaching the vent 100 or louver 110. The inventive concept incorporated in this feature is that birds cannot fly vertically upward in confined vertical spaces. Therefore, the cross-sectional dimension of elongate portion of sidewall 40 should be less than a target bird's wing span. For example, for sparrows, the maximum inner diameter of sidewall portion 40 should be less than about 7 inches. However, even if a greater inner diameter is provided, the vertical length of sidewall portion is designed and sized, and optionally shaped (such as in a converging portion of a sidewall portion 40) to prevent vertical flying, such as to prevent a bird from entering opening 50 by reaching rear opening 70. Preferably, the vertical length of sidewall portion spans at least 8 inches from the bottom of opening 70 to the end of sidewall portion 40 at outlet opening 50. More preferably, that length is more than 10 inches. More preferably, that length is more than 12 inches.

[0012] Optionally, the sidewall portion 40 of cover 10 further includes a permeable sidewall portion 30 that is permeable to air flow. The permeable sidewall portion 30 in the illustrated examples is a screen, such as a metal wire mesh screen having square openings of about 0.5 to 1.0 inch. However, the permeable sidewall portion 30 can be of any material, such as metal, plastic, or other screen material compatible with exposure to the exhaust air and with environmental elements such as sun, rain, snow, wind, for example. Optionally, in the preferred embodiments, the permeable sidewall portion 30

[0013] includes a screen of significant opening sizes as to allow for ready exhaust air flow, while also permitting visual monitoring of the vent 100 and vent louver 110 function by a user from the ground under cover 10.

[0014] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the square wire mesh of permeable portion 30, and the elongate vertical sidewall portion 40 together function to keep birds out, since birds can not fly vertical with their wings closed. The open bottom design of outlet opening 50 further allows for any lint to drop out so the vent 100 and louver 110 will not clog. The top portion 20 of the vent cover is angled so birds can not build nests on top of it. A further advantage is that the exemplary cover 10 illustrated will not collect lint, but also will not prevent a vent 100 from catching lint if the vent 100 design is made to catch lint.

[0015] Lastly, the cover 10 is adaptable to installation over existing, previously installed vents 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the cover 10 includes one or more mounting portions 60 that can be attached to a building 200 by any known fastener system.

[0016] While the inventive concepts herein are illustrated in one embodiment, other embodiments are conceived and adequately described and enabled herein so as to entitle the inventor to a claim scope broader than the embodiment illustrated. Nothing herein is intended to narrow that scope.

Claims

1. A bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vest of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the side wall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.

2. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate side wail portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.

3. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.

4. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.

5. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.

6. The bird proof-exhaust vent apparatus of claim 5, wherein the screen material comprises. a square mesh material.

7. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building-structure.

8. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure.

9. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion further comprises louvers for opening and closing of the inlet vent opening.

10. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate sidewall portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.

11. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.

12. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.

13. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.

14. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen material comprises a square mesh material.

15. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building structure.

16. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure.